*** Epilogue : And Ever After *** Fairy tales always end the same way, don't they? \\And then what happened, Mommy? Did the mermaid marry the prince?\\ 'Happily Ever After.' But no one can be happy all the time. \\No dear. She died and then the prince eventually forgot about her altogether and married someone else.\\ Not all tales have happy endings. Not all princes ride off into the sunset with the fair maiden at their side. We just never hear of those that failed. *** "How are they?" "Chang hasn't regained consciousness yet, but the other two are awake." The doctor shook his head. "They aren't so badly hurt, physically, but both have been traumatized. Winner hasn't said anything except that they need to contact someone called 'Heero' and warn him. He was very hysterical, but the other boy's presence seemed to calm him down a bit. It's understandable, though, after what happened to his eyes." "What happened?" "Flash blinded, under interrogation probably. He may recover, but we can't be sure yet." Lady Une marched down the lengthy hall, eyes flickering between the physician and the room where the Gundam pilots were. So far, no one knew what had occurred between when the ship had gone out of contact and Trowa had sounded his distress signal from the shuttle they'd been picked up in. There was no trace of the ship, or of the other two who had been on board her. "It's actually Bloom that's worrying me most. He's been very calm. Too calm. But the story he's been telling is crazy. I have a personal theory to explain this..." *** Trowa looked up as the door opened and felt relief at the sight of Lady Une, though he did not leave his place at Quatre's side, the blond boy's left hand cupped in his own. "Lady Une." He nodded in greeting. She returned the gesture sharply, eyes taking in the room's two occupants. Wufei, due to his more serious condition, was housed in a different room where he could be more carefully monitored. "Trowa. Quatre." Quatre remained silent, but gripped his hand more tightly. His eyes weren't tracking. She shut the door behind her and looked at Trowa. "Tell me what happened." That's one thing he'd always liked about her, she knew when to get straight to business. "It started when Duo began to get curious about a children's puzzle we found on the ship..." *** "...so I set off the distress signal while I was still able to and set a course for the nearest colony." Quatre tried his best to stay calm throughout Trowa's recitation, but his control was beginning to take its toll. Heero had to be warned of the danger he was in. He didn't know why, but something was going to happen to him too. He could feel it, but no one besides Trowa believed him. Hopefully, Lady Une would realize just how serious this was. "I'll have to look into this Trowa," she was saying and made her way to leave. "Wait!" Quatre spoke for the first time since she entered the room. "What about Heero? We have to let him know what happened." "We'll try our best to reach him." It had to be better than try. "Please, he has to know." He shivered, gripping one hand over his heart as a thousand disembodied voices whispered, voices of those he'd killed, laughing at him once again. He shut them out with force of will and the memory of that instant of warmth and happiness. But the dark was so cold, so terrifying. "You have to warn him." Allah, make her see. She nodded. "I understand. We'll reach him, don't worry." Quatre leaned back and let Trowa hold him. "Thank you." *** "Hallucinogenic drugs?" Lady Une looked at the doctor. "That's right. From Chang's condition, it looks like he fought back. We're hoping that means he wasn't drugged and that we'll get a coherent story from him when he wakes up. But, with his head injury, even then, he may not be able to tell us anything." She narrowed her eyes. It was a possible explanation. She thought back to Trowa's story and concluded that it was better than thinking him insane. They would have to contact Heero eventually and tell him about Duo's death, but it there were more necessary places for her people right now. He wouldn't be found until he wanted to be. There was no way Quatre's dire predictions could come true. It was completely understandable that he would think such things given what had happened to him. Right now, they had to concentrate on finding out the truth. *** Something was missing, perfection lost by a small factor. The flesh under his hand shuddered in torment, but that wasn't enough. He turned to his companion as his toy went silent except for the occasional whimper. He hated it when they got broken so quickly. Stuffy occultists were so boring. Still, he had promised and he never lied. He needed another, and knew just where he wanted to get one. Maybe another one he could keep. He knew just who he wanted. "I want something." "Anything for you, you know that, love." Duo smiled. If it wasn't precisely happiness, it was as close as one could get in this place. He'd never be alone again. "A special present? Would you?" He pouted. "I said so, didn't I?" The other drew closer, reaching up a hand to leave a trail of red on the side of his cheek. Duo leaned into the caress. "Yeah, Zechsy, you did." *** The restaurant was crowded, as were the streets outside it. Heero moved untouched amidst the bustle, ignoring the heat and the odors emanating from piles of garbage being picked through by both animals and people. He had found the man hunting him and was now going home, but for some reason he'd felt that he should come to this place. He'd followed his instincts, and they'd led him here. He entered through one badly hinged door, being narrowly missed by a fat man in a cheap suit. The man smelled of sweat and other, less savory, scents, just like most of the occupants who were seated at rickety tables in the crowded room. Heero took in everything, categorizing and sorting as he glanced around with seeming casualness. Something shimmered, golden, and caught his eye. In front of an old oriental man with a long, messy beard stood a box. From its size and design, it was obviously some sort of antique puzzle. **Hn,** he thought. **He's here to sell it, it's most likely stolen.** But something drew him to it, and he had a vague idea that it was why he was here. **Duo would probably like it.** Despite its less than honest attainment, the braided idiot would love it. He knew that Duo was angry with him, but if he had told him where and why he was leaving, he would have been followed. And if something had happened, there was no doubt that he wouldn't be able to go on. It was hard to admit, even to himself, that someone had clawed their way that deeply into his heart. Perhaps this would be the chance for him to give an apology he knew he wouldn't be able to voice aloud. Heero sat down in the empty chair across from the old man. He received a smile in return, a grin of missing and blackened teeth. One long finger nailed digit tapped the box almost lovingly. A voice wheezed out at him. "What is your pleasure, sir?" ~BEGINNING