28 Dec 2000
Chapter seven - Treize meets the Peacecrafts
DISCLAIMER: All Gundam Wing characters are property of Sunrise, Bandai Visuals, Sotsu Agency, and Asahi TV. This work is not written for profit, but for entertainment purposes only.
PAIRINGS: 6x5/5x6, 13x6/6x13, some very mild 4x9
WARNING: AU/modern day San Francisco; implied yaoi will turn to yaoi and eventual lemon in later chapters
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: To Alfred Hitchock who directed the incredible film, "Vertigo."
"Dreams are the Royal Road to the unconscious."- Sigmund Freud
When they were all comfortably seated in Treize's office again, Carmen asked Zechs if he remembered what had gone on during the hypnotic session.
"You walked me through that day," the blond said slowly, "and... and I remembered seeing a... a light of some sort - up at the top of the stairs in the bell tower. It made it hard to see..."
"Um hmm... anything else?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Guess I wasn't very helpful, was I?"
Carmen looked over at Treize, who took up the questioning. "Do you remember Carmen asking you to sketch something?" he asked.
Zechs frowned in thought. "Yes," he said slowly, "it was when I was imagining I was in the cemetery... when I was watching Fei."
Treize took the sketch which he'd gotten from Carmen and held it out to Zechs. "This is what you drew."
Taking the sketch pad from him, Zechs looked down at the picture. There was his drawing of Wufei, just as he'd done it at the mission - but there was something new there now. "What's this?" he said, pointing to the other, rudimentary figure on the other side of Wufei. "Did I draw this?"
"You drew it right after you drew Wufei," Treize answered. "Can you tell us anything about it? How does it make you feel?"
Zechs was silent for a long time. Finally he shook his head a little and said, "I don't like it... In the dream there's always something bad in the cemetery. Maybe... maybe this was it, but I don't remember anything about it - don't remember drawing it."
"Zechs, had you and Wufei met with anyone while you were down south? Any friends or someone you worked with, perhaps, that could have been at the mission with you?"
"No," the blond man answered quickly, "we didn't know anyone down there. Everyone we know or worked with lives up here."
Carmen looked at her watch. "I'm sorry, but I've got another appointment," she said, standing. "If it's all right with you, Zechs, I'd like to check back in with Treize to see how you're doing."
"Oh, sure," Zechs murmured, standing as well and shaking the hand she offered. "Thanks for helping me."
"I was glad to help. Treize, I'll check with you later. Bye now." Now the two men were both on their feet to watch her go. After the door closed behind her, Treize asked Zechs to sit down again.
"Can you stay for another half hour" he asked. "There's something I wanted to ask you about and I'd rather do it while the session is fresh in your mind."
"Sure," Zechs said, "what is it?"
"You said you had these seizures when you were a child - did they affect your schoolwork or any other part of your life?"
Zechs stared at him for several moments, not saying a thing. Then he looked down at the arm of the couch and began to slowly trace the creases in the leather with his finger. "I suppose we *have* to talk about this," he said in a low voice. "Everything in my life seems to come down to these fucking seizures."
His voice was harsh, not one Treize had ever heard him use and the psychologist was glad the tape was still recording so he didn't have to seem distant by taking notes. This was evidently going to be difficult for Zechs. "What do you mean?" Treize asked gently.
"They made me look stupid at school and that made my parents angry. They made it difficult for us to retain a nanny because I'd always forget what she told me to do. I'd hear her say, 'Go outside and play,' but I wouldn't get the 'be back in half an hour.' They all thought I was just being willfully disobedient and *that* made my parents angry, too. They thought I was trying to sabotage their child care efforts, I guess. Then, when they took me to the doctor, it turns out I'm on of the 20% of people who's seizures don't respond to medication and that made my parents even *angrier.*"
He looked up at Treize for a moment, his face a mask of bitterness. "And I was supposed to grow out of them. All the doctors told my parents that the one good thing about it was that at least I'd grow out of them. Almost every kid with this kind of condition grows out of it, but I didn't."
Treize leaned forward, feeling the edge of something under Zechs's words, something clinically important. He hated the feeling - it was like having a word on the tip of his tongue, knowing it was just out of reach, yet so tantalizingly close. "Did your parents try any other kind of therapy?" he asked, thinking of the name 'Dermail' in Zechs's medical records. "I mean, besides the drugs - did they ever take you to another kind of therapist?"
"Yeah, they did," Zechs answered after a moment, "but it must not have worked very well, because I still have them, right?" He smiled weakly at Treize, his movements growing restless.
"Is something wrong?" Treize asked. "You seem very uncomfortable."
Zechs laughed for a moment and then stood. "I am... I... I think I'd like to go. Are we on for Monday?"
/Don't go now, Zechs... it's right on the tip of my mind.../ "Yes, of course," Treize said, "only -" He paused, not knowing exactly how to ask his next question.
"Only...?" Zechs said, looking expectant.
"Only, I was wondering if I could possibly meet your sister, and your aunt - with you there of course, if you like. Perhaps they would allow me to visit the house?"
There was silence in the office for a long, long time as the two men stared at each other. /Have I ruined it? Should I not have asked him? But surely the sister or the aunt might be able to shed some light on that therapy.../
"All right," Zechs said slowly, eyes never moving from Treize's face. "If you think it would help..." He frowned down at the floor for a moment and then added, "I'm going to visit Relena tomorrow, at 3 o'clock. I can call and let her know you're coming with me."
A wave of relief passed through Treize and he smiled. "Thanks, I really would like to meet them. Shall I pick you up? What time would be good?"
Zechs looked a bit surprised at the offer, but recovered and said, "2:40 would be fine, and thanks."
"All right then," Treize said as they walked out of the office. "I'll see you tomorrow."
As he watched the blond man leave the clinic, there was a part of him that felt perversely happy that it wouldn't be three long days before he would see Zechs again. Once again, the thought of talking to Anne about it crossed his mind, and once again, he dismissed the idea. Surely this was something he could manage just fine on his own.
The next day was Saturday and at precisely 2:40pm, Treize pulled up in front of Zechs's apartment building. His client was waiting for him, dressed in a snug red t-shirt, slim fitting black pants, and sunglasses. Treize couldn't help but smile at him, he looked so good.
"'Afternoon," he called as he opened the door of the car, "ready to navigate?"
Zechs smiled back at him. "That's the word for it," he said, "it's a bit of a complicated route."
"What neighborhood are we aiming for?" Treize asked as he eased his car back into the tiny street.
"Pacific Heights. Take a left on Van Ness and then head west towards the Presidio."
One forked eyebrow raised and Treize cast his passenger a sideways glance. "That's a rather impressive neighborhood. Did you grow up there?"
"Yes I did," Zechs murmured. He was staring out of his window at the passing traffic. "Very 'impressive' indeed..."
"I take it you were happy to leave?" Treize laughed, determined to keep his brooding companion from becoming melancholy if he could at all help it.
Zechs looked over at him, a wry expression on his face. "Only as happy as the slaves were to be freed; only as happy as Cinderella was to fit into the slipper; only as - oh, *you* get the idea."
"Yes," Treize chuckled, "I'm afraid I do. Was your sister upset that you left?"
Zechs hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "Yes she was, but she also knew that I really couldn't be happy there - that I needed my own place. She helped me hunt through the paper to find my first place, near the university. Make a right here."
Following Zechs directions they traveled south and west and began to climb the hills above the Marina. To their right were breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay to the east and ahead of them was the Pacific Ocean. The houses became larger as they climbed, until they reached the west end of the neighborhood.
"Down this street, third house on the right," Zechs said at last, and they pulled up to a large, gated residence, the front of which was practically hidden by flowering pear and orange trees.
"Very nice," Treize said, under his breath, taking in immaculately manicured grounds and lush, plantings.
Zechs merely grunted and got out of the car, waiting for Treize to join him before leading them both up the front walk, lined with azalea and Lily of the Nile. He rang the door bell and after a moment a middle-aged woman in a black and white maid's uniform answered the door.
"Hello Edith," Zechs said to her, "I believe Relena is expecting me."
"Of course, Mister Zechs - do come in." She held the door for them and they both stepped into a large front entryway. Treize couldn't help but look up and gape and she closed the door behind them. A large, spiral staircase wound up three stories to the top of the house, and a glittering chandelier hung down the center of it.
"Edith, this is Treize Khushrenada," Zechs said. "Treize, Edith Harmon, our housekeeper. She's been with us since Relena and I were children."
Treize forced his gaze away from the magnificent staircase and held a hand out to Edith. "Very nice to meet you," he murmured.
"Is Relena upstairs?" Zechs asked, and when Edith nodded, he led the way up the stairs. "Her room's on the third floor," the blond said, "because she likes the views so much."
Treize followed behind him, his eye moving from the richness of his surroundings to the gleam of pale gold hair that hung down Zechs's back like a cape. /Who would have thought you came from this, Zechs... you seemed so unassuming.../
They reached the third floor and headed down a long corridor off the stairs. Halfway down, Zechs stopped at a door and knocked. A faint voice, female, and somewhat high, called, "Come in."
Stepping into the room Treize saw a room that seemed more of a flower garden, with walls the palest pink and vases of blooms scattered around it, sitting on delicate Louis XIV furniture. At one end of the room was a large bed, canopied with rose-colored velvet and in it was a pale young woman, about 20 years of age, half reclining on an array of pillows. She broke into a wide smile when she saw Zechs.
"My *brother's* here!! Hooray! Oh, come here and let me look at you!" She held her arms wide and Zechs obeyed, smiling at her, his face lit up. He wrapped her in a hug and gave her a kiss on her forehead before turning to Treize.
"Relena, this is Treize Khushrenada - the psychologist that Sally recommended.
The young woman turned her attention to Treize and smiled again. "It's very nice to meet you - is it 'Doctor'?" she said, holding her hand out to him.
"It is," he answered, and shook her hand warmly. "I hope it's not too much of a bother, my coming along with Zechs today, but I did want to meet you, and your aunt, of course, if she's around."
"Because we're Zechsy's family, right?" Relena said, smiling at him again. "Well that makes a lot of sense. Won't you sit down?" She indicated a couple of arm chairs next to the bed. "Oh, and Zechs? Auntie Cathrine's in the sewing room. Why don't you go and get her?"
Looking over at Treize for a moment, Zechs gave a nod and disappeared out through the door again, leaving Treize and Relena gazing at each other. She spoke first.
"Before he comes back, can you tell me... is he getting any better?" Her voice was soft, but full of concern and she didn't move her gaze from his face.
"Well, I can't say anything about our sessions," Treize answered. "That's confidential, of course, but I do think we're beginning to make some progress" He sat back in the armchair and smiled at her. "I hold out a lot of hope for Zechs, you know. I think he's a fighter from way back. Am I right?"
Relena nodded. "Absolutely," she said. "It hasn't always been easy - not for either of us - even though we grew up in a place like this." She made a slightly dismissive gesture to her surroundings. "But Zechs never gave up, even when times were tough. I'm sure he'll get better, and I'm glad to know he's finally seeing someone about it."
"Did you know Wufei very well?" he asked her.
"Hmm - fairly well, I guess. He would sometimes come over when Zechs did - they were always together, it seemed. I got to know him a bit - as much as a little sister *can* get to know someone like that."
"Someone like that?" Treize asked, a bit puzzled by her tone.
She blushed a bit and said hesitantly, "Well, you know... as much as a little sister can get to know her brother's lover..." Having said the word, Relena immediately found something fascinating to stare at on her coverlet. It was obvious to Treize that she was embarrassed.
"So you knew about your brother being gay?"
"Yes," she said, still not looking up. "Our parents didn't, and for the longest time Auntie Cathrine didn't, but he told me when he was only fourteen." She looked up at him at last and smiled, a little sadly. "We were always doing that - telling each other confidences. Our parents... weren't easy to talk to. So we turned to each other. It helped."
The door opened and a tall, slender woman walked in. Treize looked up at her, judging her age to be about fifty. She had dark auburn hair, streaked with gray, that she wore up in a French knot. Her face was a picture of calm composure, almost like a statue of a diffident muse, or a thoughtful madonna. Zechs followed her into the room and introduced her to Treize.
"It's very good to meet you, sir," she said, her voice unexpectedly high-pitched to Treize's mind, as if she had the voice of a much younger person inside of her middle-aged body. "I know Relena has been curious about you, so of course we were pleased to have you come."
"Auntie!" Relena said, blushing again. "Honestly, you make me sound like a busybody!" She giggled and then looked over at Treize. "Well, I have to admit that I have been a *little* curious. But only because Doctor Po and I worked so hard to get Zechsy to go see you. And judging from what I've seen so far, I think we made the right choice." She looked over at Zechs. "Do you agree?"
Zechs started, coming out of what Treize could recognize easily now as a seizure, his finger still curled in his hair. "I'm sorry - what did you say?"
She smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "I said do you agree that seeing Treize was a good idea?"
Zechs looked over at his therapist and their gazes held for a moment, sending a thrill of adrenaline through Treize. "Yes," the blond said softly. "I think it was a very good idea." He turned back to Relena. "I'm glad you pushed me, even if I did think you were being a horrible little meddler at the time." He put his hand on her head and mussed her hair, over her shriek of protest.
"And how long have you been with the family, Miss Peacecraft?" Treize asked as he turned towards Cathrine.
"I came to live with my brother and his wife when Relena was born," she murmured, looking over at the young woman lovingly. "My husband and son had just been killed in an automobile accident, and my brother thought it would be good for me to live with family for awhile. After that, I just stayed on. mostly as a companion and helper for Relena."
"She's been wonderful," Relena added. "I would have been very lonely but for Auntie. She and I get along really well."
"Is it difficult for you to get out of bed, then?" Treize asked the younger woman.
"Yes," she answered, looking a bit sad. She gave her legs a slap. "If these useless things would just have a *little* strength in them I might be able to get up and around a bit, but as it is... well, I'm stuck right here."
"She does exercises," Zechs added, "and is *supposed* to see a physical therapist once a week, when she deigns to go..." He gave her a mock scowl.
She scowled back. "It *hurts,*" she said emphatically. "I'd like to see *you* go to that torture chamber once a week!"
"*I'm* not the one who needs it," he teased, "*you* are!"
"Now, now - children," Cathrine said softly but firmly. "We have company, let's not argue, all right?"
Zechs looked over, somewhat sheepishly. "Forgive us, Treize," he said. "She and I have only been doing this all our lives." As he was speaking he surreptitiously gave his sister a light punch in the arm, and fought off laughter and punched him back.
"Perhaps I can get you some refreshments," Cathrine said mildly. "That might make you act more civilized. And if you like, Dr. Khushrenada, I could give you a tour of the house on the way to the kitchen."
"Oh, that would be very nice," Treize said, looking over at Zechs to check on his reaction to the woman's suggestion.
"Oh, go ahead," he said, "Relena and I can beat each other up a bit more before you come back."
He smiled and headed out the door behind Cathrine. The last thing he saw of the two siblings, Relena had her hands around Zechs's neck and was shaking him. He shook his head, smiling, and followed their aunt back along the corridor.
End of Chapter 7
(:./kumiko/rr7)
