*Crosses Eyes*
Aaannnnddd part two of what was supposed to be a one-shot. Yay for me.
Title: The Dream Catcher Part Two
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. It would be nice, though. Oh, and I'm also putting a disclaimer on my crappy research. Though no one's said anything about it yet. Still. . . it makes me feel better.
Pairings: 6x5 4x3 2x1 (Why that order? Because I don't think the order matters and going backwards make me look like I can walk and chew gum all at once. Even if I really can't.)
Warnings: Hm. . . bad research, blood, kissing, and an allusion to sex.
Summary: The Gundam Pilots and Zechs are wearing out after the war. After a mission gone wrong, they begin to try to run away from themselves and those that depend on them. Can an old Chippewa woman teach them that they can still be good people, even after all they've done?
The Dream Catcher
Part Two
Festering Wounds
It had been three months since that disasterous mission. Three months since Hiiro had stared at blood covered hands and whispered over and over to himself, "The bloodstains won't come out. . ." They'd been straight to counseling upon their return, but it wans't like it would do them any good. They knew how to get out of it. All the right things to say. And it was so ingrained they couldn't do anything else. The counselors always said they seemed as well adjusted as they could have been, but they weren't around when the pilots woke, screaming, when they dreamed of the blood on their hands.
Une was growing worried. They pilots weren't getting enough sleep. They were wearing out. And they were still needed. "After this," Une vowed to herself, looking over the papers, "I'm making them take some time off."
Hiiro was the first to enter, looking as he always did, face carefully blank, eyes half dead. Une felt her heart constrict. She loved all five of the Gundam Pilots. They were so young to have accomplished so much. She worried about them, and she knew Zechs did too. But Zechs had been integrated into their group so seamlessly it was easy to forget he hadn't been one of them during the war. They were a single unit. Quatre and Zechs were behind Hiiro, Zechs looking a little more run down than his younger counter-parts.
"I have a mission for you," Une told them softly. "There's base near Erie, Pennsylvania that I need you to check out. The commander had been complaining about papers going missing. Another base near there, that was supposed to be torn down six months ago, has a lot of activity on it."
It was too close to the last mission. Une knew it. The pilots knew it.
But there was no one else.
"Like last time?" Duo finally asked, violet eyes searching Une's brown ones in a desprate attempt for denial.
Une shook her head, drawing a swift breath. "But there's no one else. . . "
Quatre managed a smile, though she could see fear in his eyes. "We'll be fine."
Une felt her heart cry. With each beat it cried for the pilots, demanding, "But for how long?"
And Une had no answer. How could she, when she didn't even know what the true problem was? When all she knew was that they were boys sent to do a man's job and no one had cared enough to make sure it wouldn't break them? She knew she was partly to blame, but so were those thrice damned doctors. They had never stopped to think about those boys if they made it to "after."
And all of them had.
And now they had to make it a little further.
Une sat down, outlining the mission and showing them the information she had on both bases. Hiiro spotted several problems almost immediately, and Quatre began to outline a plan. Zechs watched, occasionally sugguesting a change, and then they left to get ready for a mission that was far too much like their last one.
After they had gone, leaving Une alone in the briefing room, the woman buried her face in her hands.
And she cried.
<>*<>
The mission was too much like the last, even though the information was correct, and even though it had been almost effortless. There had been no hostages, there was no blood on their hands. They'd destroyed the base and returned to their hotel in the small town far from the base. Une had told them to relax several days planetside after the mission, but it was hard for them to relax in a place that wasn't home.
They'd already woken several people from screaming in the pre-dawn hours of the morning. Fear and pain and memories kept coming to them, their bad dreams leaving them drenched in a cold sweat.
Every noise in the hall would wake them, their senses still in a hightened, aroused state from their nightmares and the battle a few days prior. They couldn't sleep through the night without one of them waking with a choked scream. They knew they were waking everyone, and tried to spend the nights awake so they didn't bother the hotel.
Finally they took the jeep and left again, just trying to find some peace in their lost world. Weaving through one-lane roads and dirt trails, they six sought the peace they couldn't find in their dreams.
Desprate for sleep, they drove. Taking turns at the wheel with no real destination in mind, they spent their days letting the lull of the jeep rock them to sleep only to wake after an hour with wide eyes and bloodless faces. The dreams they'd thought they'd left behind them returned with a vengence. They grew more exhausted as the days passed. "I want to sleep forever," Duo murmured, curling up in a corner of their room. They were too exhausted to be safe on the roads.
"I want to stop seeing them," Quatre murmured, curling closer to Trowa.
Hiiro only stared at his hands, legs curled to his side, body draped over Duo's. The blood on his hands had returned. He could see the redness. "Get it off." He pleaded with his lover, but Duo could only press kisses to his hands. There was nothing there.
Wu Fei just stayed curled by Zechs, too tired to say anything, too afraid to sleep. Even Zechs couldn't sleep. He kept hearing those children as the bombs Duo had set exploded. His mind added in the blood that had arched into the sky from the inferno, kept seeing their little hands reaching for him. Ice blue eyes stared blankly at the wall of the hotel. "Why?" Wu Fei whispered, voice muffled from where his face was buried in Zechs' leg. "Don't I have enough to atone for?"
<>*<>
Screaming from down the hall woke Jaci at three in the morning. She had decided to visit the near-by city as her house was being fumagated. Carpenter bees had managed to eat their way through her walls and destory part of her cabin. Damn bees.
Rubbing her dark eyes, Jaci rose to her feet, wrapping herself in her old, worn robe and tucking her moccasins on her feet. Other residents were already pounding angrily at the door, screaming almost inocherently for whomever was screaming to shut up. Jaci shooed them back to bed. It obviously wasn't the first time the screaming had woken half the hotel, and one of them kept saying it had been every day for the last week. Jaci had to wonder what was wrong that made them scream.
Rubbing her thick hair into a semblance of order, the old woman knocked lightly at the door. "Is everything all right?" She was careful to keep her voice soft and gentle. As though she was approaching an easily startled animal.
"We are fine," A deep voice called in return, and Jaci stiffened.
"Watching elk?"
The door moved and dark, fathomless blue eyes peered out. "DreamWeaver?"
"Flying eagle? Are you all right? What happened?" Jaci couldn't believe she was seeing the young men again. Brother bear certainly hadn't warned her this time! Then again, they hadn't just showed up on her doorstep, either.
The door was pulled all the way open. "We're sorry for bothering you." Duo told her, not saying anything as she walked inside. Wu Fei had his face hidden in Zechs' chest, his voice harsh and raspy from screaming. Jaci could see tears still dripping down his face.
"Bothering me? Laughing coyote, how can you say that? You're the one in pain!" Jaci felt her heart clench. "What happened?"
"It's just nightmares," Wu Fei rasped out. Jaci shook her head.
"That's not 'just' anything," Jaci told them, sitting on the bed and rubbing at Wu Fei's back. "How often does this happen?"
"It was getting better," Quatre admitted. "Only a couple of nights a week. But then. . . something similar to last time happened, and the flashbacks grew worse."
"Flashbacks?" They had said nothing of flashbacks, though Jaci had thought as much.
"Classified," Hiiro muttered, sitting on the bed by Duo and resting his head in his hands. Jaci looked at all of the boys. All six of them were so tired. Their heads were hanging, their eyes gritty and blood-shot. They were huddled together like little puppies.
"Wait." Jaci ordered, stepping back into the hall. No one moved to shut the door behind her. They were all far too tired.
Taking the dreamcatcher she kept by her bed to their room, she leaned it against the lamp atop the television. "To guard your sleep," She told them, watching something like disbelief roll over their faces.
She smiled and sat in the chair. "I will tell you a story, then, like I did at the house."
Quatre managed a smile. "It's all right. We don't want to take up so much of your time. We hardly know each other, after all."
Jaci shook her head. "I have a feeling life has dealt you a very unfair lot. If the gods have placed me here to give you comfort for a single night, then I will do so. Now settle in and close your eyes and I will tell you another story."
The pilots curled around each other again, taking comfort in one another, and Jaci, though she longed for her rocker, began her story. The same sing-songed words washed over them, and the pilots slowly began to relax at the somewhat familierity of them. "Come little ones, and listen to my story. Listen to the tale of the how the bat came to be. Woman-Who-Weaves-Dreams wishes to tell you of the tale."
Eyes fluttered closed as Jaci continued. "Long, long ago, when the earth was still new, and the sun was still learning the path to take across the sky, he came too close to Earth to better see the land and became tangled in a tree. At first he thought he would be able to gain his freedom, but the more he struggled, the worse he was ensnared! Finally the sun was forced to give up for he could not free himself.
"Because he was trapped high in the tree, dawn did not come that morning. At first the birds and animals did not notice. Some of those that woke thought they had made a mistake upon waking. It was still to early! So they went back to sleep to wait for the sunrise. Other animals, who love the dark, did not mind the sun's lateness and continued to hunt.
"Eventually so much time had passed that all the birds and animals knew something was very wrong. They all got together in the dark and held a council. 'The sun is lost!' The eagle cried.
"Bear added, 'We must go look for him.' The other animals agreed and began to look for the sun. They looked in caves and forests, in mountains and in swamps. The sun was in none of those places, and none of the animals could find him.
"Finally, after they had looked everywhere they could think of, a little brown squirrel ventured, 'Maybe he is caught in a very tall tree.' So the small, brown squirrel began to climb from tree top to tree top, higher and higher as he looked for the sun. And just when he was about to give up, he saw a very dim glow at the top of the tallest tree. He had found the sun! The sun was very weak and pale, and he begged the little squirrel for help.
"The little brown squirrel began to chew the branches that ensnared the sun, but the closer he moved to the sun, the hotter it became. 'I must stop,' The squirrel told the sun. 'My fur is burning and turning black.' But the sun begged him for help, so the squirrel continued to chew the branched that trapped the sun. But the closer the squirrel went to the sun, the brighter the sun became.
"'I must stop now. My tail is burning away.'' The small, brown squirrel told the sun. But the sun pleaded with the little squirrel, so the little squirrel continued to chew at the branches that trapped the sun. And as he grew closer, the brighter the sun became. 'I am growing blind. Now I must surely stop,' The little squirrel told the sun, but the sun begged him to continue for just a little longer, for he was very close to being free. So the squirrel continued to chew the branches that trapped the sun.
"Finally, the sun broke free and rose back into the sky, and dawn finaally spread across the land. All over the world, the animals and birds rejoiced. But the small brown squirrel was not happy. His beautiful fur had blackened, and his tail had burned away. He could no longer see to climb trees or find food. The sun saw the little squirrel and was moved. The creature had been so brave, to save him at the cost of himself. 'Little brother,' The Sun said to the squirrel, 'you have helped me when I was in trouble. Now I will give you something. Is there something you always wanted?'
"'I have always wanted to fly,' Admitted the little squirrel. "But I am blind, now, and my tail has burned away.'
"'Little brother,' The sun replied, 'From now on you will be an ever better flyer than the birds. Because you came too close to me, my light will always be too bright for you, but you will see in the dark and hear everything as you fly. And from this time on, you will sleep when I rise and wake when I set.' And the small squirrel dropped from the branch, spread his leathery wings, and began to fly. And that is how the bat came to be." Jaci watched them for a moment more, then rose slowly to her feet and made her way slowly back to her room.
"Watch over them, Brother Bear," She whispered, and softly shut the door. Inside, the six pilots lay fast asleep.
<>*<>
The five didn't wake until afternoon, when the sun was finally bright enough to penetrate even the heavist of curtains. Duo blinked groggily, rubbing at his eyes. "Jaci was here again, right?"
Quatre blinked heavily, sitting up. "I think so."
"She left us a dream catcher," Zechs yawned, snuggling Wu Fei for a moment longer before sitting up as well. "So. . . that meant she was here, right?"
"I guess." Hiiro eyed the dreamcatcher, then went to shower. Duo smirked for a moment, then bounded after him. A sudden laugh from the bathroom made the others smile.
"I do feel better," Quatre agreed, trying to find something clean to wear. "It. . . It's nice to be able to sleep soundly."
"I wish we had one of those for home," Trowa muttered, pusing the curtains open. The windows were one way mirrors. No one would be able to see inside, even with the curtains open.
"Or a story teller," Quatre laughed, waiting for Hiiro and Duo to get out of the shower. A sudden knock at the door made them jump. Zechs pulled it open, blinking when he saw Jaci there.
"My dream catcher," She explained, placing a large basket on the table. She glanced at Quatre and Trowa, then raised an eyebrow as the shout from the bathroom. "Why don't you two go use my shower?"
Both boys turned bright red. "You noticed?"
"It was rather hard not to," Jaci pointed out. "All things considered."
Zechs raised an eyebrow, so Jaci took pity on him and simplified it. "I was a married woman, you know, and I do recognize the types of looks I sent at my husband when I was feeling. . . a little fiesty, so to speak."
"You don't mind?"
"Silly boy. You have enough issues without me minding." Jaci shooed Quatre and Trowa out, handing them a key and pointing them towards her room. Hiiro and Duo appeared a few minutes after they left, leaving Wu Fei and Zechs the shower. When they saw Jaci, both looked almost ready to spontainiously combust, especially when she gave them a wink.
"I might be old," She grumbled to low for them to hear, "but I'm not dead. I do like to have sex every now and again."
Duo caught the last part and turned slightly green. Jaci bit back a snicker, settling in the chair. "I thought we could get some lunch after everyone was ready. . . or perhaps it would be dinner, at this point?" Jaci raised an eyebrow.
The boys nodded, trying not to look at her as they finished getting ready to go. Jaci rolled her eyes. "I have three sons and six grandsons. It's nothing I haven't seen before, boys."
That announcement didn't help. They blushed more brightly.
It wasn't so much they were embaressed about their bodies, it was having a somewhat stranger in the room with them and, despite her age, pointing out she was still very young at heart. Besides, mother and grandmother or not, she was not their mother or grandmother. "Boys these days," Jaci sighed, resting her head head against the chair back. "So shy of everything."
By the time everyone was ready to go, they were all very hungry. Jaci, who had been around and about in town all day, took them to a nice steakhouse she'd decided she wanted to eat at. Talk and laughter abounded at the table now that the pilots weren't utterly exhausted, and their color was a great deal better than it had been. Jaci watched them carefully as they ate. They looked like they hadn't been eating well, but now that the nightmares weren't so prevalent, they were eating as much as they could. And, like all teenage boys, they ate enough for a small army when the chance arose. Jaci only laughed as she watched.
When it came time for the bill, Jaci reached out to take it when Quatre swept it off the table. "Oh no," Jaci crossed her arms. "This is my treat."
Quatre gave his most angelic smile. "First person to touch the bill pays it."
One eyebrow leapt toward Jaci's hairline. "What kind of answer is that, spotted fawn?"
"Please don't argue, Jaci," Quatre pleaded. "It's something I can do to repay you."
"What part of my treat don't you understand?" Jaci scolded. "You shouldn't be wasting money like that. I'm old. I'm allowed to." Her dark eyes bored into Quatre's.
The boy blushed, but refused to yield. "I have plenty of money to waste," Quatre muttered. "I'm the Winner heir."
Jaci blinked in shocked surprise. The next time Brother Bear sent her a dream, they were going to have a very long talk about what details he handed out about visitors. Still, Jaci had no intention of being pursuaded by such information. Calmly she held out a hand. "Now, please, spotted fawn."
"But I--"
"Now."
Quatre gave a strangled sort of noise, but handed the bill over. Jaci gave him her most grandmotherly smile. That tone had always worked well on both her children and grandchildren as well. Apparently it worked on these six, too. She paid the bill calmly, and followed the boys out. "Is there a reason you're doing all this for us?" Quatre asked, biting his lip. "We're strangers to you."
Jaci blinked, and patted his cheek. "You and I may not be related by blood, spotted fawn, but we are all people and all family. You just looked like you needed a little more family than everyone else I've seen."
Duo gave a little whimper at that, blinking back tears. Jaci stopped, taken aback. "I didn't intend to hurt you. . ."
"No, it's not. . . that." Duo wiped at his eyes. "Just. . . dust. I was just, surprised is all. Most of us don't have any family."
"Maybe that is why Spider Woman sent you to me," Jaci soothed, wrapping an arm around his waist in a hug. "Because you needed something you didn't have and I could give you."
"Thank you so much," Duo whispered, returning her hug. Jaci smiled, hugging each of the boys in turn.
"When are you leaving?" Jaci asked, linking an arm through Hiiro's. He started, but allowed the contact.
"Tomorrow." Trowa offered softly. "Back to the colonies."
"Can we. . . can we call you?" Quatre twisted his hands anxiously. "I'd like to get to know you better."
"And I would like to hear more of your legends," Wu Fei agreed. Jaci felt a smile bloom on her face.
"Of course. We must certainly trade phone numbers," Jaci found some paper in her bag and gave them a piece while she scribbled down her own information. Tucking the paper Jaci gave them away safely, they started to head back toward the hotel. Jaci stopped them, however, and headed towards an ice cream shop. "Dessert," She explained with a grin, watching the boys follow her inside.
This time she didn't say anything while Quatre paid, just licked her rocky road ice cream calmly as the boys joked around with each other. It was almost like being around her grandchildren again. Wu Fei glanced at her suddenly. "You never did mention why you were here. Another dream?"
Jaci laughed. "The gods must have had something in mind. No, my house is being fumagated. I had a bunch of carpenter bees go digging in my cabin walls. Damn buggers were eating me out of house and home--literally! What about you? Can you talk about it?"
"Vacation after. . . after something else," Hiiro explained. The six traded looks and Trowa surupticiously showed her his preventors badge. Jaci nodded. She'd suspected, but knowing it was the truth was a little different.
They spent a little more time enjoying the town before the pilots walked her back to her room and entered their own. The basket she'd brought was still on the table, a white note sitting on top. "For your dreams," She'd written. "Made with love. Jaci DreamWeaver."
Wu Fei pulled it open and blinked, smiling. "Thank you, Jaci."
"What is it?" Duo ducked around him to look, and the others crowded the table. Quatre gave a little sniff, and smiled.
Resting in the basket, were six, beautiful dream catchers.
<>*<>
<>*<>
This is where I started going, "I really don't know if I like Jaci." I mean, she's not exactly in my realm of experience. I need to wait about fifty more years for that. I was attempting to make her all grandmotherly and stuff but. . . I don't know. We'll see. Tell me what you think of her.
Oh, and I'm sorry if I grossed anyone out with the title of the chapter. It just seemed to fit. ///.^ Hope you enjoy it!