So, burn me with fire, drown me with rain
I'm gonna wake up screaming your name
Yes, I'm a sinner, yes I'm a saint
Whatever happens here
We remain
-Lyrics to 'We Remain' performed by Christina Aguilera
Crimson Bonds Part 93
The day was going to belong to Nancy McAdams. Her ultimate victory was in her grasp. All she had to do now was claim it.
'I love you, Mom.'
Angela's message ran through her mind again, causing her stomach to churn. Even in the wake of what her daughter knew would be a direct attack on all Vampires, including John and his family, there was an extension of kindness and forgiveness.
"Senator McAdams," the Moderator's slightly raised voice broke through her thoughts. Shaking her head, the former attorney blinked widely at the man standing at the podium. Jackson nodded firmly to her and repeated, "The floor is yours now."
Catching her breath, Nancy nodded back and rose from her chair. The weight of the world, most specifically the weight of every living settled on her... but then so did the fate of the Vampires.
Those damned screams... Anna's. Duo's. Solo's.
It didn't matter that they weren't livings... their pain and torment was no different than any human's in their position would have been.
Then there were the children. As a mother herself, what would that make her if she were to subject them to the possibility of constant threats? Vampires or not, they were innocents thrown in the midst of this fight.
Each step McAdams took in her climb onto the stage felt heavier than the last until they were practically dragging in her approach of the podium. Heart racing, she grabbed onto the edge of the stand and forced a deep breath to silence her conflicting thoughts.
Then, closing her eyes, she said a silent prayer for guidance. And she knew what she had to do.
Sighing as she opened her hazel eyes, the representative looked to the gazes locked onto her and announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the World Senate, the opposition has no counter to Councilman Khushrenada's appeal and so rests."
A handful of men and women jolted from their seats as voices rose in stunned cries, shouts and gasps. But none in the room were more shocked than those sitting on the Vampire Council. Jaws hanging open and gold-ringed eyes wide, the twenty-one board members looked on in disbelief.
Not waiting for the Moderator to still the crowd, Nancy shook her head and spoke over the clamor, "The registration system is flawed! I am big enough to admit that!" Those words rang through the atrium and the crowd quickly settled, staring back at her in keen interest.
Instantly feeling that incredible weight on her lifting the more she went on, the Senator continued, "We livings are being presented a chance to grant closure to the families of Rogue victims while giving them the space to do what only they can in defending all of us."
Meeting Treize's enlarged gaze, she added, "I am holding Khushrenada to his word that we will be able to forge a comfortable allegiance to the continued efforts in keeping this world as safe a place as possible for both our kinds that have managed to exist together for this long."
The Councilman blinked and nodded fervently without hesitation.
Her head bowing back, Nancy rolled her shoulders back and raised her head to her audience once more. "Then, in light of the Preventers' findings in Septum Millers' base and the promise of a lasting trust between us, I conclude by repeating that the opposition rests. Thank you."
Practically prying her hands off the podium, she stepped back and off the stage to the chime of mumbled discussions from her perplexed peers. By not raising an argument, she had left out suggestions of demanding the names and locations of the Hybrids. There was no press for further verification to the validity of Wufei and Anna's children or how they would be treated. She never tore apart the structure or secrecy of the Preventers.
And because she had allowed all of what was disclosed to go unchallenged, no one in the World Senate would ever be able to attack those matters again now that they were exposed and the center of this appeal... something she was well aware of in her literally walking away from the opportunity that had been laid at her feet.
Shaking internally, the brunette sank back into her chair as her eyes began to sting. All she had believed and dedicated her life to had up and vanished by her own hand. It should have devastated her and yet... she never felt more certain that she had done the right thing.
Lady Une let out a shaky breath as she and her husband turned to each other in shimmering-eyed wonder. Their hands locking in tight squeezes between them, they were trembling as much as the rest of their family and friends seated around them.
"By Allah," Quatre breathed, a small smile on his lips as he folded his hands together before them. The public onlookers and press sharing the balcony seats with him were whispering and recounting the incredible turn of events they had witnessed. Watching the Senator through dampening eyes, the Companion whispered, "A politician actively looking past their own interests for the better of others. I never thought I'd see the day."
Leon was shuffling to not step on the long hem of his black robe as he hurried on back to the stand following the unexpectedly short counter speech. Along the way, he bellowed over the growing commotion, "Order! Let's demonstrate a little professionalism, shall we?"
A few conversations lingered, but all died out by the time Jackson reached the podium. Unable to hide his own surprise, he gave McAdams a private smile and a firm, proud nod before he turned to Treize and asked, "Councilman Khushrenada, would you like to make a closing statement as the one who called upon this appeal?"
Standing in a daze, the tall Vampire relied, "No, Moderator. I believe all that needed to be said has been addressed. The appeal defense rests." At that, he sat back down and automatically held back onto his wife's hand.
Before there could be anything further muttered through the lot, the silver-haired man raised a hand and ordered, "There will be no further talks regarding this matter as you all are perfectly capable of deciding for yourselves how to vote in this matter. I will remind you that everything that had been brought to the World Senate's attention cannot and will not be able to be brought up again in further appeals or debates once the ballots for or against the current registration laws have been tallied."
Nancy chewed on the inside of her cheek. She could feel the glares from her few supporters amongst the council bearing down on her as she lowered her head. Her time serving as a voice for those in the world who opposed Vampires was over. After her backing down from a guaranteed victory for them, she would be removed as a representative and her replacement would be elected and sworn in before the night was out.
What was more, those who may have been on the fence as to how to react to the startling news that Treize had provided would see one of the Infecteds' most well-known adversaries siding with them... and so they would follow her example.
Stretching his arms out to the crowd, the Moderator said, "Please remove he slips that you collected upon your entry to this room. Write 'Yes' if you agree that the amended registration laws should be abolished so that the original Human-Vampire Treaty be retained. Vote 'No' if you reject this appeal and wish for the amendment to stay in tact. As you step outside, you will place your ballots in the boxes at the doors but do not leave this building until you have been summoned back for the announcement of the count."
Many representatives were already letting their pens fly over the long parchments while the majority of Senators sat in deep thought over what they were going to put down for their vote. The first to have their votes ready, the Vampire Council rose and ascended the steps for the double doors closest to them.
When they slipped their folded papers into the black boxes and stepped out into the hallway, the immortals fought to contain themselves as they turned to one another with elated expressions.
Lifting a finger of warning in the air, Treize told them in a hushed voice, "There is no guarantee that even Nancy' gesture will win enough over to undo the amendment. Out of respect for her and those who are going to be torn over everything they have seen and heard today, let's go about this gracefully."
No sooner had the suggestion left him than none other than Senator McAdams emerged from the opening doors behind him. Her head still drooped, she spun on her heels away from the Infected that she hadn't even noticed and walked quickly down the corridor for her office.
Staring off after the living, Noin commented under her breath, "Even if I had been able to read her mind on her approach to the podium, I never would have believed that she would actually go through with something like that." At her side, Zechs nodded.
* * * * * *
Two hours later...
In the background of the Capitol building, the early signs of sunset were painted across the February sky in an array of brilliant colors as the blonde correspondent on the monitor of Heero's digital pat righted herself with wide, green eyes. Holding her earpiece in, she silently took in whatever news was being delivered to her.
His family still huddled around him, the Japanese Original muttered, "Here we go."
Focusing on the lens that was zooming in on her, the reporter announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a vote. At one hundred and sixty-four ballots to sixty-seven, the World Senate has voted in favor of..."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mark Barnett growled deeply as he was ushered by armed guards through the front of the Polish courtroom following the delivery of his life sentence without the possibility of future parole for the murder of Rina Kalish. Young and cocky as he was, he had nothing to say as he disappeared behind the closing doors that led to the holding room where he would wait to be delivered to his permanent home behind bars.
Rina's family filtered out into the public accessible hallway where their long-time friends, the Barton-Yuy Clan, waited... freed of their silver armband trackers.
With a wide smile of relief, Anna stepped forward with a familiar book and oval locket of gold hugged to her chest. Her grin turning a bit sad, the Infected ran a hand over the diary and whispered, "Back where this belongs as promised, Halina."
Thinking back to the cherub-faced girl that had been amongst the first group pulled from the concentration camps by her and the family, the Siren handed over her most treasured belongings that Mark had stolen.
Miriam, the oldest of the girls that had been entrusted with their great-great-great grandmother's heirlooms from her journey to safety, accepted them with a deep bow of her head before she threw her arms around the redheaded immortal. "Thank you for seeing that justice was done for my sister," she breathed. "You and your family have never stopped looking out for all of us."
"And we never will," Anna giggled softly as she held the living back. Nothing would ever bring back Rina, however, she had not been forgotten. That was about all that her loved ones wanted in light of their tragic loss.
Duo, Solo and Broderick held back a bit while Heero, Wufei, Trowa and Midi all took their turns in reuniting with the mortals that they had kept tabs on along with the countless others down the lineage of those that had been part of their tireless rescue efforts during the second World War.
Honored to have been invited to meet the relatives of the long passed girl that he had come to admire through her writings, Dawson shook his head, "If it hadn't been for Halina's diary, I would have gone believing that nothing good could come of Vampires. I never would have questioned Septum and I'd be waiting to stand trial like him, Lucie and the other Hunters."
"Journal or not, your tie to Isabelle would have kept that from happening," Maxwell reassured, his braided head turning to meet his fellow Companion's gaze. "One way or another, you would have changed your opinion on Vampires and helped us. But I'm glad you got to know this part of our family's history, since they don't brag about doing the right thing."
Smiling, the former Hunter nodded to second the sentiment and blinked widely in surprise when he noticed his Infected mother waving him over to be introduced.
As Dawson stepped away, Duo took the opportunity of some alone time with his brother to peer over at the other Hybrid and comment quietly, "You know... you've been so busy helping me get over what happened in that base that you've never brought up if you ever need someone to talk to."
The silver rings of his eyes hidden behind the contacts they were wearing, Solo spun his head in his twin's direction. Shrugging, Maxwell stated, "If there's one thing I've figured out the hard way, it's that neither of us should be bottling things up. And we haven't had a lot of time to actually be brothers, but... I'd like it if we could get there." That last bit came out in little more than a breath as his emotions caught up with him.
Taken aback, the blonde Hybrid swallowed roughly at the strange constriction in his throat. Drawing a deep breath, the small hint of a smile curled his lips as he confided softly, "I'd like that, too. Much as I fought it at first, Celeste was right... I can't go it alone anymore." He gestured to the Vampires a few feet ahead of them, adding, "And I like the company we keep."
Grinning widely back, Duo threw down the last of the walls that time and separation had placed between them and launched himself at his brother for a tight hug. Caught off guard by the 'assault,' Solo fought to keep them both upright, laughing in the process. The smile on his face spreading all the more, he closed his eyes and held the other half-breed just as fiercely.
When they pulled away, the braided Hybrid couldn't conceal his shock at finding a telling glimmer in his twin's eyes that was quickly wiped away with the quickly explained, "It's dusty in this place."
Maxwell ignored his own tears as he smirked, "Even if that was true, we don't have allergies."
Solo snorted, "Yea, well then it's the lights." Nudging his counterpart, he made his way towards the rest of their family. He peered over his shoulder, suggesting, "Let's not be rude and meet our extended nieces."
Not needing to be told twice, Duo snickered in amusement and followed close behind.
Lovingly carrying their infant cousins, Isabel, Charles, John and Carol emerged from the closed off courtroom along with their Others to lead the rest of their siblings into the open. Beaming at the sight of them, Anna hooked her arms through either of her eldest sons' and took them to the livings and their loved ones. "Miriam, Dalia, these are Wufei and my kids. I've been so hoping you would have the opportunity to meet all of them."
Gasping, the young women descended upon the younglings for their formal introductions. "It's such a pleasure to finally get to know all of you," Dalia told the lot sincerely.
John chuckled, "Yea. It's great to actually be seen in the world for a change. I won't have to swipe my Uncle's contacts anymore."
The Siren's gold-and-blue eyes widened in realization at that. "Oh, I almost forgot about that. And now that you mentioned it," she huffed. Reaching into the pocket of his jeans, she removed his smart phone and held it before his face with a lopsided smile. "You're grounded for six months for your sneaking out." Wufei bit his lip, but his bark of a laugh was till audible enough to ring out.
Shoulders sagging, the raven-haired youngling's jaw dropped. "Aw, but Mom!" he whined. If I hadn't gone out, I never would have met Angela!"
Planting her fists on her hips, Anna raised an eyebrow and retorted, "You still took a huge gamble with all of our safety, not to mention stole from your Uncle Duo. Don't even try to out stubborn me, kiddo. Not unless you want to tack on another couple of months to your punishment."
John continued to pout and protest, prolonging their banter back and forth as the rest of the crowd around laughed and shook their heads in amusement.
"So this is all part of the bliss of having kids, huh?" Heero smirked to his scaly brother-in-law over the raising of his sister and nephew's voices.
Chang grinned, "Yep. Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."
Just then, John cried, "Mom, I'm a grown Vampire now!"
Anna followed up, "Who still lives under the roof belonging to your father and me! I brought you into this world, I can take you out just as easily if you really want to keep it up...!"
Snickering with the former warrior, the Japanese Original watched the continuing exchange and mused aloud, "I'm looking forward to every second."
* * * * * *
Nancy McAdams sighed as she moved for the front door to her home at the ringing of her doorbell. Since she had been demoted and run through the publicity after her last day as a Senator, enough time had finally passed where she felt safe enough that her visitors were not insistent reporters trying to get a comment out of her.
Still, she felt a lot of trepidation in checking to see who was stopping by so unexpectedly.
Pulling on the doorknob to stare through the glass of the storm door that stood as the only barrier between her and the figures on the other side, she blinked widely. "Treize? Lady Une?" she frowned in confusion. Pushing the second door open just enough for the Vampires to gett the clue that they were granted permission to enter, she stepped back to grant them access inside.
The striking pair gave her warm smiles as they neared her. "How are you, Nancy?" Khushrenada asked, a genuine concern for her well-being in his tone.
"Oh, as good as any politician forced into early retirement can be, I suppose," the living puffed out with a shrug. Folding her arms across her chest, she inquired, "What brings the likes of you two here?"
Lady Une replied, "Now that the dust of the appeal and the details of what had been disclosed is finally settling, we wanted to see you personally and offer you a new job." Her mouth falling open, the former Senator stared at the couple in shock.
Nodding, Treize explained, "We would like to offer you a position as a Preventer agent. You would be the first official living to ever be enlisted with us."
The air rushing from her lungs, McAdams laughed, "Oh, so I can be taken out by a Rogue on my first assignment? Bad enough I had my name and cause dragged through the mud, now you'd rather be rid of me all together?" It was a partial joke as well as an unconscious worry.
With a grin, the lovely brunette Original answered, "Actually, now that we are going to be sharing our knowledge of Rogues with the world, the need for an entirely new department in our organization has risen." Intrigued, Nancy's smug smirk faded as she waited for further explanation.
"Lady Une and I are looking for someone to be a voice for those lost to Rogues. Someone to find and open the door of communications between us and the victims' families so that we may be of any and every assistance they need," Khushrenada shared. "Since the dawn of the Preventers, we have done what we could in secrecy, but we can so so much more now that we don't have to hide our efforts. And those families will finally be able to heal with the closure that they deserve."
Completely dumbfounded by what was being presented to her, Nancy's eyes grew anew. She was fine in admitting that she was, in fact, wrong in believing that all Vampires were the monsters she had fought so hard to work against. But now she could act out against those Rogues who were the real dangers amongst the Infected while being a human aspect to aiding those who were forever affected by them... just as she had always wanted.
Folding his hands together at his waist, Treize smiled, "It's the very least that we can do for you after your selfless demonstration in the Senate. We do hope that you would be interested in accepting."
"I accept," McAdams was fast in all but breathing. Nodding, her lips curled up in a wide smile as she managed in a much clearer voice, "I happily accept." She ignored the way the world watered over and concluded with a heart-felt, "Thank you."
* * * * * *
Septum had lost count of the days and nights that he had been held in jail awaiting his trial. Not long after his confinement at the hands of Vampires, he was moved to a prison run by and housing livings... a most unsettling prospect given how he had hoped that he would be freed by his own on accounts of his being detained by Vampires originally.
That was when news reports in the detainees' cafeterias relayed what had transpired in the World Senate. So the world knew of the Preventers as well as the Hybrids and for the majority, life went on without much change save for the total dissolution of the registration amendment.
Oh, there were concerns and some outrage by those mortals who already did not trust the immortals or were previously undecided on how they stood...
...but there was more of an overwhelming appreciation for the Infected thanks to their courage to reveal everything.
Again, all of this was terribly disturbing for Millers. It certainly did not bode well for his fate, whenever the legal process finally caught up with him after all of his staff had seen their own days in court before him.
Every Hunter and member of his crew were taking plea deals for reduced sentences by rolling over on their former Boss and laying out everything they had on him.
Such was to be expected. However, Lucie's accounts of him proved to be the most damning... not to mention the most painful. About the only justification in that situation was that she would still be sitting in jail for forty years before she was eligible for parole.
By the time that happened, the days of her youth and beauty would be long behind her. Served her right.
A muscular brute of a guard appeared on the other side of his barred off door to proclaim loudly, "Millers! Your attorney's here to see you!"
Pushing himself up from the cot of his single cell, Septum frowned to himself. About the only times his lawyer stopped by was to inform him of more bad news. Not that he expected anything to go right for him, but he still loathed these consults.
Ushered into the room that had been closed off for their meeting, the researcher sat across the long table from his consult and adjusted his bright orange jumpsuit. "What do you have for me now?"
The well-dressed attorney ran a hand over his slicked back blonde hair and sighed, "You're to be brought to trial in two days."
His eyes growing, Millers commented, "Well, it's about time we got this out of the way. Then we'll be able to argue how those ungrateful cowards sold me out without any truth to what they had said all for a slap on the wrist compared to what-"
"This is not going to be that kind of trial," his only ally cut him off. "Between those interviews, the videos of your killing Berg, tormenting those Hybrids and Vampire, the public outcry of what you've done swayed how you're to be treated. No living judge wants to be in the same room as you. There is not a soul in the world who would sit on a jury and believe you're innocent."
Deflating fast, Millers murmured, "Then what kind of trial will this be?"
Finally meeting his client's gaze, the lawyer replied, "Since your more grievous of crimes were against their own, you're to be presented before the Vampire Council to be sentenced by them."
Septum's skin paled as an icy chill ran down his spine. Whatever official decree would be made by the Infected, it didn't matter.
He was as good as dead.
TBC...
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