Woke Up One Morning... Part 30
Raising my hands, I sigh in exasperation, "I swear to God, Commander, we're not hiding anything from you. What's the problem with us now?"
Her head falling back, she lets out a loud fit of laughter. Heero and I share another confused look before turning back to watch as she regains her composure. "I suppose that I should have chosen my wording better before I had you worried," she chuckles.
Lady Une shakes her head and explains, "The 'situation' is not you. Rather, it is something that I am hoping you will both be able to help with." Instantly, my shoulders ease up and the breath I had been holding puffs out of my lungs.
Oh. Well, then, that's a relief. Not to mention a pleasant change.
Sighing, the Commander advises, "Adam and his team have been working around the clock to translate the information that was obtained from Krutza's home. Unfortunately, they have not had a great deal of success despite their best efforts and time is still working against us."
The tension lost in his own frame, Heero questions, "And there has been no progress with Krutza's interrogation?" His surprised tone matches exactly how I'm feeling.
When we had captured the bastard, he looked like he was about to wet himself at any moment. I had thought for sure he would have been singing by now.
"It seems as though he has worked up a lot of nerve since arriving at our holding cells," Une frowns. "The agents that have been interviewing him have not been able to get the answers we need, even with the right to use whatever means necessary. Not many are willing to take that kind of leniency to its full potential."
Oh my God. Now I know what she's about to get at. Judging by the way Heero's shoulders are locking up again, I can tell he's figured out the same.
Since I know my husband better than anyone, I am well aware that he would never stand down from an order. And there is no way in hell I am going to stand for him having to endure what he faced after the last time we were in the interrogation room.
Willingly, I put myself out there by all but shouting, "Absolutely not! You can't expect Heero to have to go through something like that again!"
Raising a hand, Lady Une reassures gently, "I would never make any of you do something that you are not comfortable with. That is why I am asking." Her eyes locking onto my partner, she inquires softly, "Heero, do you think that you would be able to interrogate Krutza using whatever measures you must to get some answers from him?"
I bite my lip nervously as I can hear the rough swallow passing 'Ro's Adam's Apple. Slowly turning my head, I watch as his fists clench and unclench in his lap.
Teeth gritting together for just a moment, he finally meets her eyes and answers, "With all due respect, Commander, I don't believe that I would be able to interrogate Krutza after what he did to Duo. I managed to make my point with him once while holding myself back."
My breath catches in my throat as I stare at my husband with my jaw slack. His hands turn white at how tightly they're balling up now. "I don't believe that I will be able to control myself a second time if I ever meet with him again. So, I will have to..." bowing his head uncomfortably, he concludes with a quiet, "...decline your request."
Holy shit. Heero Yuy, the former Perfect Soldier, is actually rejecting a request from his commanding officer? And I'm part of the reason behind it.
Biting my lip, I reach over to cover his fists with my hand. Instantly, his closest palm opens up to hold on as tightly as he can without hurting me. Head still lowered, his eyes close and I can see just how difficult that simple decline was for him. For my part, I really don't think that my chest could swell in pride for him more than it is right now.
This was... a huge step for him in simply standing up for himself and his own wishes.
Lady Une's widened eyes blink and ease up as a small smile tugs her lips. "I always knew that you were capable of saying 'no,' Heero," she says quietly. "I both respect and appreciate your honesty in the matter. We will come up with another way of getting Krutza to talk."
'Ro's head snaps up, cobalt eyes wide with disbelief over not being reprimanded for what J would have considered insolence. Then just like that, a wave of relief and excitement over his decision washes over him when a wide grin spreads across his face. "Thank you, Commander," he manages softly.
With a quiet laugh, he turns to search for my own approval for his holding his ground- something I've been telling him to do for years now. Smiling warmly, I pay no mind to the fact Une is watching and kiss his lips quickly. As I pull back, I wink and smirk, "See. That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Shaking her head in amusement, the Commander clears her throat politely to regain our full attention. "Why don't the two of you call it a day?" she suggests, her grin still in place. "I will contact you if there are any updates in the investigation whether it comes from Agent Link's team or Krutza."
An idea has been forming in the back of my mind the entire time that we've been discussing this whole situation. Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I raise my hand and offer, "Actually, you could still use us to interrogate Jesse."
Both Heero and Lady Une stare at me in surprise. Chuckling quietly, my smirk grows in anticipation of the plan that is running in my head.
* * * * * *
Only moments later, 'Ro and I are alone with the Commander in the observation room to watch as Krutza is led into the adjoining interrogation cell dressed in a green jumpsuit all of our federal prisoners wear along with a pair of handcuffs. His face is marred with a bruise or cut here and there, but the damage is very minimal as he smirks in defiance of the agents gripping either of his arms.
Lady Une was right... the bastard has worked up some nerve since arriving at headquarters. Taking a deep breath when the escorts sit him down at the table and walk off to seal him away, I turn towards Heero and ask, "Ready?" His eyes boring down on the man on the other side of the glass, he just nods firmly.
"I'll start the camera when the answers start coming and not a moment sooner," our superior smirks as we head for the door.
Just like any other time when we are about to interrogate, there are not even so much as glances exchanged between my husband and I. We simply storm into the room holding Krutza with me in the lead.
The second my feet step inside, our prisoner's brown eyes widen. And the initial shock quickly turns into a hidden trace of panic when he sees Heero follow me close behind. Closing the door behind us, my partner moves to lean his back against the wall with his arms folded. Never once does he take his glaring eyes off of Jesse across from him.
Quickly getting a hold of that glimmer of worry, our target focuses on me and matches my own glare. Still, he can't help the sharp glance over at my lover that lasts only a split second.
Good. This is just what I wanted.
Propping my arms up on the edge of the table, I lean myself forward until I can smell the sweat embedded into the jumpsuit. I open without a hint of friendliness in my voice and a dark smirk, "Hey, Krutza. Word got to us that you're not exactly being very helpful with the investigation that we're involved in. So, we thought that we would stop for a visit to see if we can loosen that tongue of yours."
"I have absolutely nothing to hide," Jesse snaps. At least, he tried to sound convincing. He doesn't realize I'm watching him closely enough to have picked up on yet another eye slide over to see what Heero is doing.
Straightening myself up, I shrug, "Fair enough. I'm just going to get to the point here, asshole." I wave a hand in the air and roll my eyes while sighing, "You've already been informed of the amended clause to prisoner rights that is being called into play to get answers from you by whatever means, blah, blah, blah."
My eyes narrowing again, I fold my arms and grit out, "We're here to make good on that." A little of that wall begins to crack when there is a subtle, rough swallow in Krutza's neck. Casting a glance over at my partner, I face our prisoner and smile, "Yesterday, we never actually did have the chance to really introduce ourselves."
While giving a single wave in the air with my right hand, I sneer, "Duo Yuy-Maxwell. Former Pilot 02 of Deathscythe." There is no more hiding the fear from Jesse as he gasps loudly, jaw falling open and eyes widening. Repeating my wave, Heero gives him a sinister smirk. "That would be Heero Yuy-Maxwell," I announce. "Former Pilot 01 of Wing Zero."
His skin paling, Krutza's breath is coming in and out as sharp pants over realizing just how deeply fucked he is. Preventers were one thing... former Gundam pilots are a complete other. It takes a moment, but finally another realization sinks in as he stammers, "Y-Yuy-Maxwell?"
"That's right," I grin. Along with me, Heero and I remove the band-aids that have been covering our wedding bands so that they shine under the ceiling light. Shrinking in his seat, Jesse now looks more like the coward we had seen when he was taken into custody; and then some.
Slowly, I lean back over the table and whisper, "You are in for a shit-load of hurt now, buddy. I'm going to give you and my husband, here, ten minutes of alone time to get reacquainted. He's kind of been itching for a chance to really properly meet you after you attempted to rape and kill me. Then we'll see if you're willing to let us in on what you've been hiding."
As I line myself upright again, I notice 'Ro cracks his knuckles with an expression of roped in fury that he is anxiously waiting to unleash. I have to hold in the laugh when Krutza whimpers, brown eyes widening as far as they can and sweat starting to run down the side of his face.
Turning on my heels, I walk past my husband and snort, "Will you try to save something for me when I get back, husband-mine?" Cobalt eyes still on our target, his threatening grin spreads as he stalks towards the prisoner.
"No! Wait!" Jesse shrieks, sounding nothing like himself when his voice cracks.
It takes even more effort to hold back the laughter now, but I manage. Spinning myself around, I face the shaking man behind the table while making a show of 'pushing' Heero back.
"What is your connection with Ivanov and the Glycaminum that was used against the Assembly?" I hiss.
Blinking back a few tears that have begun to form in his brown eyes, Krutza groans, "I... I find likely buyers of the chemical and get them in contact with Ivanov. If a sale goes through, I make a commission from the purchase." Frantic, he sits up and cries, "But I have nothing to do with the actual production of the stuff! I'm only a middle-man for clients!"
Of course he would be stressing that detail. He already has a high stack of charges against him. Actually willingly making the Glycaminum would have him looking at life in prison without any chance of getting out on parole. Too bad I actually believe him.
Since he is willing to go this far to protect his own ass, I comment, "You know, we could possibly look at working out a shorter sentence if you to translate the documents we've collected in your home as well as work with us to track down Ivanov."
Gasping, Jesse swallows and breathes, "But... he'll find me if he suspects..." The sweat continues to roll down the sides of his face as he shakes his head. Waiting a moment to really weigh his options here, he begs, "I need to know I'll be protected at all times until he's captured. If I have your word that I will be safe, I'll help you."
I have to admit that what he's asking for is a more than fair request. One that I know Lady Une will be perfectly fine with, since we can continue to get information out of Krutza for as long as we have him behind bars. "Alright," I nod firmly. "You will be watched around the clock until we have him."
"Then, you best start by finding your own Agent Storm," he warns in little more than a whisper that sends a chill up my spine. My own eyes widening, those words begin to sink. Leaning towards me, he confides with a small smirk, "She's been one of us for some time now."
Fuck!
Without pausing a moment, Heero and I are running out of the room. Somehow, through the thoughts screaming in my head, I remember as we're running past the guards that have been standing out in the hallway to shout at them, "Keep him right where he is!" Wide-eyed, they stammer on their affirmatives as Lady Une charges out of the observation room to join us in the chase for the elevator.
Not a word is spoken between us during the ride up to Heather's floor, but we all manage to put on an air of calmness as to not tip off anyone that we may run into that something is wrong. It also give Heero and I a chance to remember to pocket our wedding bands before anyone has a good look at them.
For as shocked and hurt as my partner and I are over the news, Lady Une is the picture of restrained rage and pain. Jaw clenched and fists tightened at her sides, it takes her a little longer to compose herself.
When the doors open to the fifth floor, we walk out together with the Commander in the lead.
All the way on our walk down the hall past the other agents moving about, I try to wrap my brain around the fact that Shelly is a traitor. The tall, thin-framed blond joined on with the Preventers about three years ago, eager to serve and protect those who can't. A young, single mother, she's worked tirelessly behind the scenes as well as on the field. Shit, Heero and I were two of her trainers!
It's just... such a damned blow that she would have been working against us this whole time.
Reaching her office, Lady Une swipes her access card to command the door to slide open without our having to knock and announce ourselves. Inside, Agents Storm and Lightning are packing up their personals now that we've reached the end of the normal work day. At the sight of us as we enter, both ladies freeze as they are, eyes wide.
The Commander smiles to the brunette standing at the desk closest to us and tells her, "Cindy, not a word of this to anyone else if you would, dear. You may leave for the night." On the other side of the room, I notice Heather's knees buckling beneath the hemline of her uniform skirt and her already pale skin lightens a couple more shades.
Bowing her head, Agent Lightning whispers, "Yes, Commander." Tightening the grip on her handbag that was already strapped over her shoulder, she hurries from the room. If she moved any faster, there would have been dust flying in the air behind her.
As soon as the door closes after her partner, Heather leans up against the front of her desk for support. "C-Commander?" she greets, not very sure of herself at all. Somewhere in those wide green eyes of her is realization that we're not about to let her leave the room any time soon. "What is this about?"
"I should be asking you that very question, Agent Storm," Une quips, her own eyes narrowing as she allows her disgust to show. "It would appear that you have some explaining to do regarding some of the acquaintances you keep." She takes a few steps towards Heather, who in turn falls back a couple of paces in sheer panic.
For being a traitor, she really isn't doing a whole lot to make a convincing case in her defense that nothing is wrong. "I am going to give you one chance to tell me what it is you think I am here for," the Commander growls warningly. "My advice would be for you to not make this any more difficult on yourself than it already is."
Jesus. I'm not even the one that's on the receiving end of this and a shiver is running through me at the tone of that voice. Knowing full well what Une is capable of when she's anything less than pleased, I am not about to imagine what kind of terror is running through Heather's mind right now. No one has dared to go up against the Commander for this very reason.
Tears well up in Agent Storm's eyes as she whimpers and falls back even more when Lady Une nears. "Oh God, Lady Une, they threatened my daughter!" she wails, her hands flying up to cover her face as she sobs uncontrollably.
My heart thumps in my throat and I snap my head over to meet my husband's equally shocked face. That... was not at all what we had been expecting to hear.
Losing only a little of the edge of her anger due only to the surprise of the announcement, Lady Une demands, "What? Who threatened Janelle?" In a rush, Heather lowers her hand from her wet face and hurries behind her desk to unlock one of the drawers. Opening it, she holds out a thick manila envelop that shakes in her grip.
Her eyes blinking, the Commander takes it up as Heero and I walk up behind her to look over her shoulders while she pulls out the contents inside. What comes out sends another chill up my spine as I gasp at the photographs of Janelle. Only five years old, the little girl is seen in every image as she plays and sleeps in her daycare. Some shots that Une pages through include Heather with her daughter in their home. Every shot is a very private, personal moment that could have only been taken by someone watching that should not be.
My God... who the fuck are these guys that we're dealing with?!
Leaning her back against the wall, Agent Storm gulps in a breath between her quiet sobs and moans, "If I didn't do what they wanted, they promised to find us wherever we ran and they would kill us. I am so, so, sorry, Commander. But I had no choice! Not when my baby..." Her words break along with her voice as she sinks into a trembling, curled up position on her chair.
Une lowers the pictures onto the desk and bends at the waist to wrap her arms around Heather. "Where is Janelle now?" she questions gently.
Sniffling, our shaken friend looks up and answers hysterically, "Her daycare. Someone could be watching her even now. If she is and I don't go to pick her up soon, they'll know that something is wrong and they'll hurt her. Please, I have to get to my daughter!"
With a small nod, the Commander gently wipes back a few tears and smiles sadly. "We'll bring her here safely," she vows in a tone that will not tolerate any less. Looking up at me and my partner, she orders, "Make sure you see to that."
I've been set to that plan before she even had to ask. Heero nods his head firmly along with me, determination and resolve in his own eyes as his fists tighten at his sides.
So, we ride again.
TBC...
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