21-June-2000

Title: Errand of Mercy

Errand of Mercy

An Arcadia Interlude by Laekin & Bonnejeanne

Quatre ducked, ditched and dodged all his assistants and snuck off for a hot dog from a vendor for lunch. He ate his hot dog, enjoying the illicit pleasure of junk food. The dog was so tasty, with a little mustard dripping from one side. A bench with a tree shading it beckoned.

Making that awkward little tuck of his upper body to keep from getting mustard on his tie he moved towards the bench, giving it a little brush with his napkin before sitting down. The hot dog inhaled, he'd learned the fine art of eating hot dogs from Duo.

As the last bite of hot dog went into his mouth, he realized he was suddenly not alone.

A tall redhead stood behind the bench and a blond, not much taller than himself, sat beside him on it.

The redhead had wicked brown eyes and the blond, cool green ones. They were both eating hot dogs... the redhead devouring, the blond, neat and precise.

"Nice day," the redhead remarked, and his voice was accented with a British cant.

Taking a moment to finish chewing, Quatre chased the hot dog down with a sip off his soda. Then patting his lips neatly he smiled in a friendly manner up at the redhead. "Very lovely. I'm sorry, did you wish to sit here?" realizing he'd quite rudely taken up nearly half the bench and moving to stand.

A long-fingered hand dropped on his shoulder, stopping him.

"No, no, love, stay put," the redhead answered, grinning.

"Yes, stay a moment," the blond said, his voice also accented, and remarkably deep and rich.

Sitting back seemed the most decorous choice, so Quatre moved back into the hand a bit, hoping to encourage it to release the pressure on his arm. A bright smile to them both. "Thank you. "

"You are called Quatre..." the blond said. His cool green eyes are very compelling. His face was attractive, but made more so by, Quatre realized now, the enhancement of makeup. Eyeliner and shadow, a touch of blush, and lipstick. How could he not have noticed those red lips immediately.

Make-up on men was not something he truly understood. Even Trowa wore only the half mask of a clown, not clown make up. More disturbing was their knowing his name. However, Quatre kept calm, it wasn't like his name was unknown in the papers and the like along with his face. Of all the times not to be armed. Hoping things would stay friendly he answered, "You seem to have the advantage of me, sir."

The blond smiled, and the redhead chuckled. "So sorry, love," the blond said. "You can call me Jack, and my friend here is known as the Ripper."

Twisting to bow his head towards the red-haired youth, he held out his hand to the blonde. "A pleasure to meet you, Jack."

Jack took his hand and the touch made Quatre tingle. Suddenly he had a sense of something... deep... and immeasurably old, yet eternally young... the green eyes were like ice over fire... Quatre saw stars behind them, and space, and time...

Curiosity won out over natural withdrawal. His empathy making the sensations seem twice as intense so that they nearly scream down his fingers along his arm and to his heart. After a second he moved to withdraw his hand.

His fingers were released. Jack tilted his head. "You're an empath," he said, sounding pleased in a cool sort of way.

Quatre flushed a little as he rubbed his one hand with the other. "A little I suppose. Nothing formal."

"That's very interesting," Jack said, and suddenly Quatre had the feeling these two already knew about him. "We have need of an empath."

Bright turquoise eyes shuttered a touch at that and though he beamed a charming smile it no longer reached his gaze as he stood. "I believe that those of a certain talent level and a desire to use their abilities, register their names and contact numbers with the local officials. Perhaps try one of them. If you gentlemen would excuse me." Moving politely but firmly to disengage himself. As curious as he was, he was now getting a touched creeped out.

"Quatre..." Jack called behind him, still seated on the bench. "It's you we need. There are children..."

He halted in mid-step.. turning back a little. Children... his heart leapt with the need to assist but his mind cautioned. Who knew what people would say. "Continue." His voice more clipped and probing then before.

Rip picked up the cue. "We aren't native to your little world, dear sweet boy. We're travelers. Been scoping your colonies out for a bit of recreation. But something has come up... back home. See, where we come from is very ... poor, in a way. Few people. None of your abilities. We need your help, for the sake of a child. If you agree, we'll take you there, and bring you back, unharmed... safe and sound. I will protect you myself," Rip said, his grin persistent, but the tone indicating a certainty of his ability to do so.

Two complete strangers, sit down next to him on a park bench. Give him the heebie jeebies and then start talking ... well what they were talking, and expected him to just *trust* them? Quatre believed in the best in people however he was also a survivor. "I'm sorry, I can't do as you request."

"You can," Jack said. "Oh, I know it's not sensible. But you weren't always sensible. And being what you are, you will know we speak the truth. If you dare to know... of course it's easier to walk away. So much easier."

He was getting played. He was getting played and he knew it. In fact a part of him bristled at the way Jack wove the net. "Very well. But I need to contact someone first. I can't just.. *leave* "

Jack tilted his head. "Quatre... I can bring you back... almost before you've gone. Did you... contact someone when you left for Earth with Sandrock? Or did you just go...?"

No but he didn't leave behind a bunch of lives depending upon him that time either. Firmly. "I have to contact someone. One person. That's all I ask."

Jack shrugged. "As you wish. But if you mention our names... I'll have to clean up after you."

Quatre tilted his head a little, bristling. He did not like threats. Again he was ready to walk away from the entire thing but the word and image of child, came to him again and he suppressed his anger. Reaching into the pocket of his pants he tugged out the small communicator he kept on his person at all time. Toggling it open he debated for a moment before pressing in Heero's direct number.

"Yuy," the answer was brief.

"Heero, it's Quatre. I have to leave town. Don't let things fall into chaos while I'm gone alright?" Letting Heero know in those pithy words... 'If I don't come back in what you judge is a reasonable amount of time present them with evidence of a body and make them move on.'

"What's up, Quatre?" Heero's tone was specific. He meant, what is wrong.

"An invitation I can't refuse. I can't give more details Heero. Wish me luck." The last three words spoken in a bright tone.

"Hn," was the reply. "Call me in three hours. Otherwise, I may have to run an errand myself." In other words... come looking for Quatre.

Quatre looked over at the other two. Unsure of their promise to have him back before he was *missed* "Ah.. give me 24. I don't know where I'm going. "

"Three. Or don't go."

Jack smiled slightly, and nodded.

"Already tried the latter.. didn't go over too well. Three it is." Quatre mentally rolled his eyes at himself. He was going to get the words "Push Over" tattooed to his head.

"I'll talk to you then. Be careful."

"Right, Winner out." He toggled off the communicator and slid it into his pocket. Then turned towards Jack and Ripper. A high level of distrust, but acceptance in his eyes, making them the color of a stormy sea. "Alright gentlemen."

Jack smiled approvingly. He stood up, and Ripper came around in front of the bench. Standing on either side of Quatre, they each made a gesture that seemed so smooth it was as if they had done it a million times. Each reached around, as if to something slung on their backs. As they did so, two objects materialized. Under Ripper's hand, something that was shaped like an electric bass guitar. Under Jack's, a synthesizer keyboard on a strap. Hands caressed keys, and strings, and a vibration at once musical and incredibly intense began and built almost in an instant. Quatre felt a vibration move through his body, and things.... *shifted*. In the blink of an eye he was there, then gone.

The next moment, he found himself standing outside, on a planet like Earth, in fact he might think it was Earth, with blue sky, green grass, and around him, the glass towers of a city. The air was fresher than anything he'd ever smelt. The sounds around him did not match those of any city he knew. There were no cars in the streets, only a few people, walking unhurried. Everything was clean.

The musical instruments intrigued him and he was about to ask eagerly after the keyboard when the shift happened. The planet was beautiful but Quatre found himself bent down, clutching at his chest and gasping the sweet air. So many *new* minds and emotions.

Maybe... not so many... in the whole city he could sense... maybe a hundred souls, maybe a few more. In the whole planet... so few. So very few.

Something about those he could sense... and see... for every one adult, there were three... perhaps four children, all of almost uniformly the same ages, about 5 or 6. Happy children.

A few of the people passing noticed the trio appearing out of thin air. They smiled and waved. "Hi, Controller!" someone called. "Hey! Ripper's back!"

Perhaps it was the very lack that got to him.. or just the sense of strangeness. His mind settled itself and he straightened, perking automatically towards the happy emotions he could feel from the small ones.

A small gang of about seven kids ran over and surrounded the three. "Ripper!" they chanted, ringing him. The redhead grinned and chased the children in a circle.

One little girl ran up to Quatre, looking up at him wide-eyed. "Hi!" she said.

Quatre arched his head a little to keep track of the active smalls. He enjoyed watching children at play. Blinking to the little girl he beamed his most charming smile down at her. "Hello there."

"Never saw you b'fore," she said, and smiled, ducking her head. Then she hugged him impulsively.

He rocked a little beneath the impact of the solid small body, his arms automatically reaching up to return the hug. "Well, I've never seen you either, so I guess we're even. I'm Quatre."

"Hi Quatre.. 'm Millie," she said. Then she giggled and ran to Jack. "C'ntroller! You came back!"

Quatre released the child as she darted away, looking between his two traveling companions with a touch of confusion. So far he saw nothing here that needed him.

Jack nodded solemnly. "Millie you mustn't call me that, you know there is another City Controller now. Just call me Mr Jack."

The girl giggled and shook her head, and ran away.

Jack looked at Quatre. "Welcome to Arcadia," he said. "This is a very precious place. We could not bring just anyone here. And there is a problem. I will take you to it when the time is right. But first you must take a moment to see and understand this place or you will not understand the problem as well."

Quatre shifted a little then gave a nod of his head, looking between his two guides once again. He really wasn't planning upon just roaming off into the wilderness.

Ripper chased the kids back to their adults or somewhere and returned. "See, Quatre... this world is like yours... or it used to be. Then things... happened. We never made it to space. People mostly killed each other or tried to kill the planet. It got so bad that humans stopped having babies. A lot of people died..." it's in his tone. Billions. "The human race was dying off and nasty things were taking over. Then there was a game... and we changed things around a bit. Now things are better."

Quatre fondly watched the children tripping over each other as they were shooed back, then turned his attention towards Ripper, feeling a slight tug on his chest, a response to a pain he never endured but can feel nonetheless. "Yes?"

Jack began to walk along the street, Rippper and Quatre walking with him. "There was an experiment, and a lady... and a storm. The storm brought life back to the world. That night there was a party... lots of children conceived. Here in Arcadia, they are cared for. But other places... there are pockets of humans here and there. We found the boy in such a place. No parents... probably dead. The boy... doesn't talk. Or respond. Bad things... could have happened. We have no one who can reach him."

Quatre frowned a little as he walked with them. "Oh. How old is he? How long ago was he found? What methods have you tried? "

Jack answered, "We don't know how old he is. He can't be older than six. What methods? We have no methods. We have one overworked MD and two nurses, to care for the community. This community is isolated. They only thing these people know to do for the boy is try and feed him, keep him clean and love him. And they will do this for his lifetime if that is all that can be done."

Quatre nodded, then seemed to retreat into himself. Surfacing after a while to speak quietly. "This might not work you know. If I can help.. it will only traumatize him again when I go back to my own world. "

"Shall we do nothing then?" Jack asked.

Quatre looked sharply at Jack. "The decision is yours. I merely point out to you what can happen. "

Jack tilted his head. "I see... no liability."

Quatre stopped. In the middle of the path he stopped and gave Jack an unamused look. "Do you desire my assistance or not? "

"Prickly little fellow, isn't he," Ripper said, grinning.

"Of course we do, have we not asked?" Jack said calmly. "Is it necessary to court you as well?"

Prickly? They were going to get down right bristly in a moment. He hadn't had his noon time tea after all. "No. However do not go putting words in my mouth." He nodded and then strolled on.

Rip chuckled. Jack simply continued walking as well. The young... so tiring.

Quatre silently kicked himself. He'd had a perfectly good stew to heat up for lunch but nooooo he'd had to give into the urge to go after junk food. When he got home he was going to find Maxwell and and kick him right in the Shin-igami. If he got home.

They guided him to a building, one of the glass towers. Inside, what had once been an expensive corporate headquarters had been fitted out as a daycare on the first floors and a hospital above. People greeted the two with affection, and were curious but polite to Quatre. They went to one of the hospital floors and down the hall to a room. There was a nice-looking, but slightly tired man in his late thirties coming out. He saw the three and came forward quickly. "Jack," he said. "You found someone? Oh, I'm sorry," he said, to Quatre. "Forgive me... I'm David, David Cronenberg... Dr David they usually call me. Did you, did you come to help the boy?"

Quatre was very attentive to his surroundings as he was led up to the hospital floors. Smiling to the man he bowed his head respectfully. "Hello, a pleasure Dr. Cronenberg. I'm Quatre and I hope so."

Dr David nodded. "Just do what you can. If you need anything, let us know, please. Thank you, Quatre."

Quatre looked from the doctor to the others. "Um, perhaps an introduction?"

Dr David opened the door and led Quatre in. It was a nice room, with bed, table and chair, the colors cheery and books and playthings placed around. A small boy, dark unruly hair and slightly tanned skin sat in a corner of the room on the floor, ignoring everything around him.

"Kenny," Dr David said to the boy, "This is Quatre... Quatre... this is Kenny. That's the name on a piece of paper in his pocket, right, Kenny?"

The boy ignored everyone, looking into some inward place.

Quatre watched the child closely for a moment, looking around himself. Taking in the room. Then back to the child. His mind quietly running over every thing he knew and circling back to one point. "Bring me a piano and a violin."

Dr David blinked. "Uh... the violin, yes... I think I can get that. Uh, piano... would a synthesizer do?"

Quatre frowned and looks over at Jack and Ripper. "Do you not have a real piano anywhere?"

"Yes... but they aren't that easy to move..." Jack said. "There's one in the Alley. Do you wish to take the boy there? It's a theatre."

Quatre chewed on his lower lip and looks back. "No... no.. the violin will be enough for now. If I could have one?" That asked he began to look around the room, come on.. it was a standard play toy... ah! There in the corner a small set of wooden bongos. Picking them up he tapped on them a moment before carrying them back to the center of the room.

Dr David went out the door. He could be heard calling. "Ginger? Have someone run down to the 'Trose and ask Magellan if we can borrow his violin. It's for the boy that was brought from outside, to help him. Hurry!"

Meanwhile Quatre set the bongos down, giving each side a tap with his fingers. Listening as they thudded back at him. Satisfied he pushed them closer to Kenny then stepped back, hunkered down on his heels. "Hello Kenny." Undeterred by the lack of response he smiled warmly and opened up all his affection towards the child.

The boy stared into a space of his own. His deep blue eyes were shadowed, his brows drawn slightly together. He sat with his knees up, arms around them, ignoring the world.

Quatre settled back on his heels and just waited for them to get him the violin.

It took about ten minutes and Dr David came in with a case. The leather was old and well-tended. The instrument inside was also - the wood was thin but lovingly cared for. There was a note tucked inside. "Whoever plays my Rose: Have a care for her strings, I only have one set of spares. Magellan."

Quatre smiled softly, recognizing a fellow music lover. Stroking the violin with a gentle lover's touch he lifted it from the case, moving his fingers carefully along the strings as he tightened and tested them. Finding them to his satisfaction he stood and turned his body to 3/4s of the way, away from the child, taking the pressure of his eyes and stare off the boy yet keeping himself open as to be approachable. With that, he tuned out the presence of any others in the room except Kenny. Lifting the violin he began to play. The music was soft.. poised.. then falling.. then cresting.. then falling again like a bird's tentative flight. The violin singing sweetly. Behind it, Quatre put his emotions of welcome and curiosity.

At first the boy ignored the music, continuing to stare into his private space. But after a while, something flickered in his eyes. He stilled again, then flickered... then looked up. He scowled at Quatre. Then he blinked, and tears streaked down his cheeks.

Dr David's eyes widened. He held himself still and quiet.

Despite his casual stance, Quatre was very much aware of the child, and he continued to play. The music rising and falling, becoming more complex. The strains classical but at the same time they seem to be telling some exotic tale of sultans and magic carpets.

The tears flowed and then, the boy's lips moved. He barely made a sound, his voice was rusty as if unused. "Cold," he said, all but inaudibly.

Quatre paused in the playing, lowering the bow and the violin but keeping them within his hand. "Would you like a blanket Kenny?" Softly asked in a tone that is almost as musical as the violin was a moment ago.

"Sh' said..." the boy muttered softly. "Sh' made me promise..." He looked up, blinking. "Made me promise."

Quatre settled back down on his heels. He didn't close into the child's space but rather adopted a very attentive posture, silently encouraging with his body and eyes and emotions.

"Sh' said... when she was cold... I was to leave 'er. Walk away an' leave her. Go someplace else... she was cold..."

Quatre flinched inwardly. He'd seen too much of that in the war himself. His voice gentle, "And you did what she said, Kenny. She didn't want you to be alone."

The boy suddenly nodded violently. Water streamed from his eyes but his expression remained a scowl. "Cold..."

Quatre's heart cried out to take the child in his arms.. but instinct told him to be cautious. Rocking back on his heels, he settled on his rump on the carpet, crossing his legs and lifting the violin back up to his shoulder. Closer now then he had been, his body language making him completely open to the child as he began to play softly once more.

The boy blinked, listening to the music. At last, he put his head on his arms and his body began to shake with weeping. "Ma..." he gasped, between sobs. "Ma... shouldn't have made me...Ma..."

As the small body began to fold down and sob.. it's walls breaking, he lowered the violin and set it carefully near it's case, sliding very slowly over to the little one. Starting out small he lay the tips of his fingers on a shaking shoulder, whispering softly in a musical croon. "She didn't want you to be alone, Kenny. She wanted you safe.. she wanted to be peaceful knowing you would be safe."

The boy didn't seem to notice the fingers touching him. He shook his head violently. "No...Ma...no..."

Quatre moved a little more carefully, sliding his arm across thin shoulders, coaxing the child gently towards his chest. They wouldn't go any further till the wound drained itself.

The boy seemed to ignore this as well, but then he turned, collapsing against Quatre's chest. He beat small fists against Quatre's legs in denial. "No...no...no.." he chanted in time with his weeping. Then he slowly wound down, quieting, his sobs dying to a hiccup or two. Exhausted, he rested against Quatre's chest. "Why'd she hafta get cold..."

Quatre just held the angry child, letting small fists beat against his body, waiting for the storm to pass. Then he brushed unruly hair back gently. "I don't have an answer . I wish I did, little one." Looking up he mouthed the word *water*.

Dr David quickly brought a small pitcher and a cup, and poured the water, leaving the pitcher on a nearby table.

Quatre picked up the cup and held it coaxingly towards the small face, still soothingly stroking his hand along the boy's hair.

The boy looked up and saw at the water. Then at Quatre. He scowled, but licked his lips.

Quatre continued to hold it towards the child. "Just a little?"

The boy reached for the cup and took it, drinking the whole thing. He dropped his head. "Tired... when I sleep... bad dreams..."

Quatre filled the cup again and held it to the child. "Slowly.. don't make yourself sick. Yes.. I can imagine you do. I have nightmares also."

The child looked up. He frowns. "Y' do?"

Quatre nodded very slowly and smiled sadly. "Yes. I do. They frighten me and make me very upset when I have them. I don't want to think about them when I'm awake but sometimes it makes me afraid to go to sleep." Which was usually when he'd put in a call to Trowa, or Duo.. whoever he thought might be awake.

The boy thought this over, then sighed. "Tired. W'd you stay with me... a little while?"

Quatre winced inwardly, but he settled more comfortably on the floor, making himself into a nice pillow. "Of course."

The boy looks up. "You... you're gonna go. Aren't ya."

Quatre sat there for a moment, still stroking dark hair and he smiled. "There are people who would miss me, Kenny. The way you miss your Mom. Do you want other people to be sad like that?"

The boy shook his head. " 'S okay." He looks at Dr David. "He's okay. Just tell me... should I... should I 'a stayed with 'er?" His indigo eyes locked to Quatre as if the answer was the most important thing in the world.

Quatre looked at those eyes directly and shook his head. "No. Because all you would have stayed with was her shell." He tapped the boy's heart. "I bet, if you look, you'll find her here." Then he reaches up and brushed the boy's bangs back pretending to peek under them. "And.. yep.. I bet if we trim a little of this so you can see a mirror you'll see her in here too." Gently touching the lid of each eye. "I bet she had the same pretty indigo eyes didn't she?"

The boy ducked his head. He didn't answer but suddenly, as if he had to do it before he was stopped, he put his arms around Quatre and squeezed. Then he quickly let go.

Quatre returned the squeeze, dropping a kiss on the top of the boy's head and brushing his hands over Kenny's back, then letting him go with a smile. "I bet Dr. David would like to talk to you and he'd stay with you and help with the nightmares." He made a little bit of a show of peering at the good doctor then nodding. "Yeah.. I'd say he looks like a good candidate for helping with nightmares."

Kenny sighed. He nodded. "Okay." Then he looked up. "That... the sounds... that was nice..."

"The violin? Would you like me to play for a little while longer? Till you go to sleep?" Quatre offerd without hesitation.

The boy looked up and nodded. Dr David hesitated, then he said, "Kenny, why don't you try the bed?"

Kenny scowled, but he climbed up onto the bed. He waited for Quatre to play.

Quatre picked up the violin, laying the bow to the strings, he began once again to play. The song was soothing but upbeat and cheerful, light and free. As bright and open as the sky under which that bird from before had flown.

The boy watched Quatre for a while, then his eyes drooped and closed at last. Dr David gently covered him and shook his head, looking at Quatre in silent gratitude.

Quatre finished the song before lowering the violin. Gently taking the tension off the strings he put the violin back in its case and closed the case up. Giving Kenny a last soft look he smiled to Dr. David, then he turned and moved quietly out from the room, looking for Jack and Ripper.

They were out in the hallway waiting patiently.

He held the case out towards them. "Can you give Magellan my thanks for the use of his violin. Tell him he's kept it in wonderful tone." He gave them that gentle smile.

Dr David stepped out into the hall, looking like he was going right back in the room in a minute. He said quietly. "Thanks, you... you have no idea how grateful we are. I'll make sure the violin is returned. And I'll ask Magellan to come and play for the boy. I'm sure he will do it gladly."

Quatre smiled and held out the instrument to Dr. David. "Yes I think he would. Magellan might even think about teaching him. I think Kenny might like that."

The doc nodded, taking Quatre's hand, then he ducked back into the room to sit with the boy.

Jack smiled slightly. "You did well. You have our thanks."

Quatre flushed a little. "I'm glad I could help. And I'm sorry if I was... distrusting of your motives at first."

Ripper nodded. "Too bad you can't stay. The Arcadians would throw you a lovely party. But..." he shrugs. "Maybe... perhaps some day you'll come visit them again."

Quatre did peek a little sadly into the boy's room, then nodded decisively. "Well.. they can hold a party for Kenny instead." He smiled. "But... I should return. Before people miss me."

Jack smiled lazily. "We're used to distrust. We really are bad boys. It's ironic that we've become protectors of this place. We aren't always so wholesome. But... this time... you helped."

Quatre, perhaps looked a little nervous, brushing his hands along his suit coat then smiling back to them. "I'm glad I could help. He seems like a very sweet little boy."

Ripper grinned and winked. Then the two led Quatre outside. On the street in front of the building, they turned and reached for the air at their backs. Again the instruments materialized, and again the wild, melodic vibration penetrated Quatre's being.

He shivered once again, bracing himself for the trip back. Again the sudden shift in *voices* made him double up for a moment. Then he straightened, looking at his watch and to Jack.

He found himself in front of the park bench. His watch said ten minutes had passed.

Jack looked at him, holding his eyes.

"Too bad we can't let you remember this, little Quatre," Jack said, his deep voice almost hypnotic. "But we will meet again, and when we do, you'll remember then."

Green eyes seemed to stare into his soul.

Then Quatre realized he was standing in the park, late for a meeting. Where did the time go?

He shook his head, looking a little dazed. How the hell had he misplaced over an hour. Gah... Rasid was going to be climbing the walls!!

bonnejeanne & Laekin

Please feel free to direct feedback to the authors!
bonnejeanne@yahoo.com.

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