Thank you to all who've written so far - especially Diane and Zan. *glomps* See what happens when I'm encouraged? ANOTHER PART! Yay!
Title: Heart of Darkness
Part: 5B
Author: Stormy
Warnings: Angst, some kitchen fluff
Pairings: implied 1x2, 3x4
Jean was in the kitchen fixing herself a cup of tea before joining her husband in their room. Scott had returned from installing the promised added security to Cecilia's home and Jean wanted to ask him how the girl had looked, just for her own peace of mind. The scent of Earl Grey wafted in the air drawing an appreciative sniff from the red-head's observer.
" Would you like some Jubilee?" Jean asked politely, not bothering to turn around. Behind her, the young asian girl laughed lightly before heading towards the fridge.
" You know me better then that Jean - I need some REAL caffiene."
Jubilee found what she was looking for - a case of Coke - and selected one of the red cans. Closing the fridge door, she looked up at her friend. " Nothing better."
" That's bad for you."
" I know." She popped the tab and took a sip. Playing with the can thoughtfully, she smirked. " I guess I have bad timing, huh?"
" Hmmmm?" Jean looked at the girl questioningly. " You're always welcome here Jubilee - you know that."
" Oh I know," she assured her. " I just mean that I seemed to have come during the middle of a hurricane - mind telling me what's going on?"
" I thought you knew."
" I have an idea," Jubilee shrugged, absently flicking a few plasma sparks into the air. " And I met that one guy, Wufei was it?" She grinned. " Not too hard to look at either!"
Jean smiled fondly at the girl she had come to look at in the light of a younger sibling. " I thought you liked Everett?"
Jubilee shrugged. " I can look. 'Sides, Ev seems to be tagging along behind Ms. Monet lately." [1]
Jean sensed the masked hurt easily, but she knew better then to push Jubilee. The girl was generally easy-going as long as you left her emotions to herself. " You do know that they probably won't be staying long - we are going to get their friend back and then find them a way home."
" Such a shame," Jubilee sighed. " There've been more cute guys in this house in the last two days then in the last several months! Can't we keep one?"
" Jubilee!"
" Spoilsport."
A sudden noise interrupted the two ladies banter and Jean lifted her head, sensing the approach of a familiar person. Jubille was still giggling and sipping her drink at the same time when Wufei appeared in the doorway. Jubilee froze as Wufei raised an eyebrow in her direction before bowing slightly at Jean and then making his way through the room to exit the other side. Jubilee looked at Jean.
" D'ya think he heard me?"
" Probably."
" Cripes." Jubilee set her can down on the counter before looking back up with a twinkle in her eye. " Did I say cute? I meant gorgeous!"
" Jubilee!"
Wufei snorted as he made his way through the house. _Onnas_. He didn't even consider the implications of Jubilee's statements about himself - as Jean had so helpfully pointed out, they would not be staying long. _And the last thing I need is another woman_.
//Especially one that looks so much like Meiran//
Wufei shook his head and headed out to the hangar. Trowa and Quatre were already there, looking over their Gundams habitually.
" Hello Wufei," Quatre said warmly, jumping down from the arm of his Sandrock. " Here to check on Shenlong?"
" Nataku is in perfect condition," Wufei said. " But she thanks you for your concern." He looked around the hangar curiously. " Where is Heero?"
" He be outside," came a smooth voice from the doorway. Quatre and Wufei looked up even as Trowa leaped lightly to the ground.
" Gambit," Wufei inclined his head at the X-Men formally.
" Bonjour Wufei," Remy smiled at him, flashing his teeth. He pulled off his sunglasses and slid them back up on his head, looking at them through red-on-black on eyes. " Quatre. Trowa. Don' you people ever sleep?"
" Hello Remy," Quatre returned the smile hesitantly. He wasn't sure why, but something about the mysterious man gave him the shudders - a feeling of intense pain and sadness lurked about the young man like a cloak, shrouding him in darkness, blocking out the light. Since arriving, Quatre's sensitivity must have increased because he had to work a bit harder to keep everyone's emotions from washing over him completely. _I think I need to speak to Jean again_. " I guess tonight's excitement was a little much - no one feel's like going back to bed now." He shrugged. " It's almost morning anyway."
" T'ought you might like to know dat de Prof might have an idea on finding your friend."
Trowa and Quatre exchanged excited but wary looks.
" Such as?" Wufei asked.
" Le Bete was fiddlin' around with Cerebro yesterday and put some kind of amplifier on it. Prof t'inks it may narrow down de search. Maybe." He shrugged. " But it's somet'ing, non?"
" Not until it delivers results," said Wufei resolutely, refusing to get his hopes up. Trowa and Quatre appeared much the same way. Quatre looked at Remy.
" Is Duo going to be all right?" he asked suddenly, out of the blue. Remy jumped slightly.
" Eh?"
" They all said you knew the most about Sinister - and I can feel the pain you keep locked within yourself," the blond pilot said quietly. " I guess I just want to hear someone who's been in that position, tell me it's going to be all right. I mean, YOU made it out, right?"
" Yeah, I did," Gambit said wearily. " And it nearly cost me my soul. I'd never wish what I went t'rough on another person."
" That helped," muttered Trowa.
" Look, I t'ought I knew de score kid!" Gambit snapped at the one-eyed boy. " But dis be a whole new playin' field - if he sent your friend out to attack somebody den all bets are off! He not goin' t' torture Duo - he be trainin' him! He's makin' him out to be one of DEM - a Maurader!"
" This is what you earlier called the worst-case scenario?" Wufei spoke up.
" Yeah," Remy sighed, pushing a lock of hair out of his face. " Ya hurt de body - it can heal. Whatever don' kill ya makes ya stronger and all dat. But tell me dis - if Sinister makes your buddy attack innocent women, or makes him kill someone or anyt'ing along d'ose lines - what's your friend gonna t'ink of himself when he's back in his own mind?"
Quatre gasped in horror and Trowa blanched. Even Wuefi felt his guts turn to ice at the thought of happy-go-lucky Duo realizing he killed someone. An innocent.
" He'd self-destruct," whispered Quatre. " Same as any of us would. Duo would NEVER hurt someone innocent.....would he?" This last bit was said pleadingly. Remy turned away from those big eyes, not wanting to lie to the kid.
" He may not have de choice."
" Don't let Heero know this," Trowa said suddenly. Quatre turned pale at the thought. Remy frowned.
" Why not?"
" Because if Duo does turn out this way, then he'll be considered a liability. Heero would take him out."
" But he's your friend!" Remy gaped at them, for once, shocked completely. " You'd allow this?"
" Not by choice, " Quatre sai quietly, rubbing his arms as if the warmth in the room had been sucked out. Trowa sat next to him, wrapping an arm around him in an effort to help stop the chills wracking his body. " But out of necessity."
" If you'd allow dis to happen, why not tell Heero?" Remy was now shocked AND confused. "Surely he be the most equipped to deal wit' dat kind o' situation?"
" Of course," said Wufei quietly. "He's the Perfect Soldier. But he cares for Duo - a lot."
" We can't let him know that Duo may become the threat you described," added Quatre. " He would do it - but it would kill him inside."
" There would be two of us gone, instead of one." Trowa finished the discussion with finality.
" Merde..." Remy blew his breath out. " You kids are screwed up, ain't ya?"
" You have no idea."
Four heads snapped up to see Heero Yuy standing behind them with a blank expression on his face.
" H-Heero!" Quatre stuttered, jumping to his feet. Trowa eyed the Perfect Soldier warily, wondering how much he'd heard. Heero caught his gaze and he mentally flinched. He'd heard.
" Hee-"
" I know the risks Quatre," Heero cut the Arabian off. He felt his stomach clench in on itself and he took a deep breath. " If one is a tra--liability, he must be eliminated." He couldn't call Duo a traitor. The braided American wasn't - he was being controlled by something that turned him against his training, against THEM. Not a traitor, but a liability.
" But-"
" I will be the one to take Duo down if it comes to that. Do you understand?" Heero glared at all of them in turn, including Remy. Trowa and Quatre nodded. Wufei scrutinzed the Wing Zero pilot coolly.
" What Chang?"
" Nothing," Wufei shrugged. " I just hope that all of this is of course used as a last resort."
" You know me better then that Wufei." Heero seemed to sag for a minute before straightening. Wufei noted this and nodded.
" I do. And I apologize."
" Unnecessary." Heero waved it off and looked at Remy. " You said Beast might have increased the odds of us finding him?"
" You heard ALL dat?" Remy grinned at the boy. " I didn't even detect you - you are good."
" Supposedly PERFECT," the boy bit out. Remy fell silent and even Quatre blinked at this. Heero stared back at the tall man. " When do we start looking?"
" Prof needs to rest his mind - he'll try again tomorrow wit' de modified Cerebro unit."
" Good." Heero turned and left the hangar area. The four looked at each other for a minute before Remy pushed himself away from the wall.
" Well, you boys may not like t' sleep but I do." He yawned. " Gonna catch a few winks 'fore Cyke decided t' ring de mornin' bell." He waved at them as he disappeared into the house. The three remaining boys just sat there silently.
End Part 5B
Notes:
1. Everette and Monet are Jubilee's Generation X team mates. Jube's has had a crush on Ev for a while but lately he's been following Monet around - whom I personally can't stand and put in the same class as Relena - so that's why Jubey's been visiting the X-mansion. Remember - any questions, please email me!
C&C needed to sustain life!
Stormy
Please send comments to: dingostorm@hotmail.com