The Capture - Chapter 13
By Caliko

Catherine changed back into her uniform and dashed out the door, determined to make it to her ship before Heero came back to his room. She had decided, finally, that she couldn't go through with this marriage, no matter what the benefits it would bring her. No.. it would be better if they just faked her death or something.

She thought about it hard, the night before. Being married to Lord Yuy would insure that she would be stationed permanently on the planet. It would also make it easier to deal with King Milliardo as one of his own subjects, not a foreigner that could be easily ignored. But, living with that bastard, letting him touch her... She would put up with a lot for duty, but not that! That was asking too much!

With these thoughts in mind, she stole through the halls intent on escape, unmindful of the dark shadow that followed her. She reached the door that led to the kitchen herb garden, and pushed it open. The heavy wood dragged on the stone floor, causing Cathy to wince as she looked behind her.

She hurriedly closed the door, and walked through the dirt rows, her eyes going neither to the left or the right as her goal was within sight.

:::Only a little farther!::: She thought, her breath came faster in a slight adrenaline rush. :::Just a few more feet, and Heero Yuy is forever out of my life!:::

Her hand touched the cold metal gate, and she was about to push it outward, when she noticed the lock.

:::Damn it!::: Cathy fumed. :::If I cut it, then Schbeiker can just waltz in here like he owns the place!::: She stood back, gauging the distance to the top. :::Too far. Even if I reach the top of the gate, I'll break my legs coming down.:::

Disappointed, she turned around to retrace her steps, confident that there would be SOME way out of the blasted castle.. she just had to hope that she found it before Heero found her.

She passed back through the herb garden and into the kitchen. A few moments later, the shadow detached itself from the wall and followed her once again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lord Heero quietly entered his quarters, his mind still dwelling on the conversation he had with Lord Barton. The other man's words haunted him. Was Catherine this missing Barton female? And, if so, how could he prove it?

If she was, then formalities had to be met. It would be expected of him to sign a treaty of alliance, perhaps even pay a bridal price for the chit. Grimacing, he glanced around the room, searching for his bride.

"Catherine!" He called out, not seeing her in the main room. He strode to the bathing quarters, thinking that at this time of the night, she had to be there. "Where are you?"

His introverted thoughts quickly turned to annoyance as he realized that she wasn't in the suite. :::She's roaming the castle, alone.:::

Once again, her inappropriate upbringing would embarrass him. Women were NOT permitted to roam the halls at night! It was as much for their own safety as for their husbands dignity.

Quickly, he turned on his heels and left the suite, intent of tracking down his errant bride. She must learn that there were restrictions that, as his wife, she must abide by.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He followed the woman as she wandered the halls unescorted. She wore that same strange uniform that his sister had worn, the tight black breeches caressing her slim calves as she walked with a long, confident stride.

It was obvious that she was looking for a way out, and he wondered if she could lead him to his sister. He had to reach Hilde, not to apologize, but to make her understand that he had no choice. He had to make listen to him! She had no business being with Maxwell!

:::Soon, Sister dear, You will be with me again.:::

Shaking himself free of his thoughts, he again located his target as she turned into the wooden doorway to the chapel. From the opposite side of the hallway, Lord Yuy stalked into the rush light.

:::NO! He's come for her!:::

His mind crystallized with the knowledge of what he had to do. He could not let this man prevent his prey from leaving. He needed to follow the woman to his sister, ergo, Lord Yuy had to die.

:::now.:::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

:::There she is!::: Heero glowered, his stride taking him ever so closer to the witch that dishonored him with every breath.:::

"Catherine!" He bellowed, watching as she froze in place. "What are you doing here?"

She drew herself up to her full height and boldly met his eyes.

"I forgot something in my ship." She lied, not flinching. :::Yeah, I forgot to stay on board.:::

"It can wait until morning." His tone remained firm as he wrapped his hand around her wrist. "Women are not allowed to roam the halls at night." He informed her, ignoring Cathy's struggles as she attempted to pull out of his grip.

"Let me go!" She griped, pulling away. "I'm not sleeping in the same room as you!"

Heero sighed, then shook his head, as if he were about to explain something to a simpleton. "I'm not giving you the choice."

He stalked over to where she had retreated, and bent down to lift her over his shoulder. Cathy's eyes widened as she saw the person behind the earl.

"Heero!" She shouted, too late to warn him.

Her adversary crumbled at her feet as Will followed him down, his dagger already plunging into the arrogant lord's back. Crying out, she launched herself at Will, hoping that it wasn't too late to save Yuy, but feeling a sick dread in her stomach that it was.

"Murderer!" she yelled, pulling her laser sword.

Schbeiker rolled with her, landing on top. Then, his wrist enclosed hers and he squeezed hard, forcing Cathy to release the hilt. Then, with an insane glimmer in her eyes, his other hand closed over her throat and constricted her breathing.

Suddenly he stopped, looking up. Footsteps pounded on the stone floor, coming closer. Grimacing, he released her throat. She barely had time to breath before flinching under the fist that came ever closer to her eyes. Sighing, she fell back against the cold floor, and sank into oblivion as the crazed man threw her body over his shoulder.

:::If she wants to live, she'll take me to Hilde.::: He thought, disappearing down a darkened hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Milliardo stood next the Lord Yuy's bed as Dr. Talbert leaned over the unconscious man's back. The Earl lay on his belly, with his hair falling haphazardly down over his face. Every once in a while, the doctor would probe the wound as he worked, earning an anguished groan from the patient as his eyelids fluttered haphazardly over his closed eyes.

"What is his condition?" The King asked as the Physician stood up.

"Barring infection? He should make it. Lord Yuy was incredibly lucky that the blade missed anything vital, but he has lost a lot of blood, and he's weak. These next twenty-four hours should decide his survival, Your Grace."

"What can be done for him?"

"I have monitoring equipment and medications on board my ship, Sir, but I can't move him. The wound will only open, and he has lost enough of blood. Instead, I will send a nurse down to watch over him, with instructions on his care." Talbert turned to the table and started to pack away his equipment. "I understand that Captain Richards gifted you with a communication console?"

"Yes, but I have yet to learn how to use it."

"No matter, from what I understand, one of the Maxwell twins will be stationed here to run it until one of your people can be trained. I will, however, be able to stay in touch with the nurse, and that's what's important."

The King nodded slightly, then looked towards the doorway as footsteps stopped outside. A brisk knock sounded, then identified itself and Captain Chang.

"Enter." He ordered, watching as the soldier came in. "What can I do for you, Chang?"

"Your Highness, I just came to inform Dr. Talbert that his transportation has arrived. Also, Sir, If I may speak to you in private?"

Talbert looked up, waving them away. "I'm finished here, Your Grace. I will send someone down tonight with Patience Maxwell."

Milliardo waited until the Doctor left the room, then nodded to Chang. "What do you need, Captain?"

Wufei drew in his breath, not quite believing what he was about to ask. Then, centered, he looked his king directly into the eyes, and spilled it.

"Your Highness, I would like to request a transfer, to be stationed as your man aboard the Alliance ship 'Portia'. I feel that with all of their people clamoring around your castle, that you will need your own eyes aboard the Alliance Vessel."

He managed not to blink as he made his request, then explained it. Then, he swallowed hard as he noticed the enigmatic smile on his liege's lips.

Milliardo's eyes danced as he watched the chinese warrior fidget. He had plenty of opportunity to notice how well the Captain worked with Major Po, and he was enough of a lover to encourage it, if he could. Of course, his matchmaking tendency's were well known in reference to his earls, but no one guessed how many of the castle servants suddenly found themselves married because of the young kings romantic whims.

Of course, now there was a challenge. The woman did not have to marry if he told her too. Gleefully, he hid his smirk, then nodded.

"What a good idea, Chang. Of course, this has nothing to do with the fact that Major Po refused your suit?"

Wu blushed, then stammered, "My loyalty is yours, Sir."

"Of course it is. But for the record? I think that Sally just needs to be convinced. You have my blessing, Captain.. in both respects."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Welp.. I had THOUGHT that 13 would be the final chapter. Go figure... <G> My writers block dissolved. LOL...

Now.. who's gonna save Cathy? Will Heero survive? Will Wu convince Sal to take a chance? (Hmm...will write more into that section next chappy) And.. how will Patience react to being stationed planet-side in the society she hates?

~Caliko~