Breaking Point
by
Captain Anonymous


Midii could here the front door close, as Johnnie entered the dark room. She turned on the light as he came in.
Johnnie looked around the familiar room, his eyes settling on his sister. 
He could see the look on her face.
“Is there something wrong Midii?”
Midii stood up the couch and walked closer to him, not saying a word. 
She stood in front of him, breathing heavily, trying to hold back her emotions.
“We have to talk Johnnie. I need to tell you something.”
Johnnie caught sight of Trowa, as he leaned against the wall, standing in the shadows.
“What is it?”

“I don’t how to say this, there really is no easy way.”
Midii struggled to hold back her emotions, trying to keep herself calm. The tension had built inside of her, building into her fears.
She went on, her voice fading as she spoke, “I spoke to Lady.”

Midii looked away from her brother, as he clenched his fist. 
Johnnie spoke, trying to contain his emotions, “So....she’s still alive.”
Midii closed her eyes and nodded, “Yes, I’ve known for some time now.”
The room fell silent as the tension mounted.
“I know that I should have told you sooner, but I just didn’t know how.”
Johnnie spoke slowly, “What did she, what did she say?”
Midii closed her eyes. Maybe this was going to be the wrong thing to say. 
Maybe she never should have told him.
“She called, she said she was sorry for everything that she had done in the past.”
“Is that all she had to say, for everything that did for us.”
Midii nodded slightly, “I thought about it for so long. It haunted me.”
“You didn’t.......”
“I forgave her.”
The room fell silent, Johnnie looked at his sister, tears of anger formed in his eyes.
He raised his voice, “How, how could you, after all she did to us. Don’t you remember Midii?”
Midii looked away, “I still remember, but I feel that she is truly sorry for what she has done, and she deserves a second chance.”
Johnnie paced across the floor, trying still to make sense of the situation in his mind. The anger that had built up inside of him had come out.
“Because of Lady, we all suffered.”
Midii said, “I know, but deep down inside I think she is still the person we once knew.”
“You really think someone like that can change? She hurt all of us, and she didn’t give a damn about any of us?”
Trowa finally stepped out from the sh and stood behind his wife. “We all of have a burden that we carry from the from the war. Johnnie, the war we all fought is over now.”
Trowa paused for a moment, and looked at Midii. “People can change, it takes time and understanding. I lost the one important to me because I was unable to let go of my anger. Carrying the anger and sorrow will only bring you pain.”
Johnnie turned, “She left us. If it wasn’t for her, you never would have had to become a spy for the Alliance, Midii. Trowa’s comrades might still be alive today.”

“I’ve got blood on my hands, I’ll never be able to forget my sins. There hasn’t been a night that has gone by that I haven’t been wrought with guilt. She never showed any remorse, people like her are beyond redemption.”

Johnnie was breathing heavily, unable to contain his anger. “We lost everything because of her. And for what, so she could be him. And what did that lead to? Death. War. For us, and other innocent people. Do think she gave a damn?”
Midii looked at her brother, there was nothing she could say. 
Johnnie walked towards the door.
“Johnnie, please.”
Johnnie didn’t say a word, as he slammed the door closed behind him as he left. 
Trowa started towards the door, he could feel Midii’s hand on his arms.
Trowa stopped, and looked back at Midii.
He turned towards her, he could see the tears falling down her face.
Trowa moved his arms around her, letting her rest her head on his chest. 
Midii needed him now.

--------------

Chris slowly opened her eyes and looked around the dark room.
She moved her slender hand out from under the blankets, and looked at the shimmer of the gold ring in the pale light.
She still couldn’t believe that she was now engaged to be married, it still felt like a dream. 
Ralph laid beside her, she looked at him as she slept.
She couldn’t remember ever being this happy. She was ready to spend the rest of her life with him, but still she couldn’t help but be haunted by her own demons.
It brought her to tears to think about it. She could still remember her mother and father, even after all these years. How much she wanted to be alive at this moment, to tell them the news.
Almost everyone she knew from her home colony was dead. For years, Ralph was the only person in her life.
They had gone through so much, seen so much death, felt so much anger and pain.
They would always carry those scars with them.
They had left Earth, and came back to the colonies to start over again.
This was thier chance to be happy.
This was thier chance to be together.
She wanted to be with Ralph, and now in the eyes of God, they would be. 
After all these years, she loved him.
Chris turned and pulled the blankets back over her, and closed her eyes.


-----------------

It was after one in the morning. Sally walked down the long hall to the small room at the end of the hall, drawn in by the smell of coffee.
She entered, Lt. Norton and Captain Harrow stood at attention before her.
“At ease. I see your both working late tonight.”
Norton nodded, and handed Sally a cup of coffee. Sally took the cup from him, and took a sip of the mildly warm liquid.
“Just trying to get the last of this weeks paper work done, Colonel.”
Sally held the cup in her hand, “So, is Colonel Townsend working tonight?”
Norton shook his head, “No, he’s taken the night off. Can’t say that I blame him. He’s been in nearly every night this week.”
Sally took another sip.
Harrow put down his empty cup, “I’ve got to finish my reports, if you’ll excuse me, Colonel.”
Sally nodded as the Captain walked down the dark hall.
Norton placed his cup beside the Captain’s on the table. “I see your working late tonight.”
Sally nodded at the Preventer officer, “I guess everyone’s backlogged with paperwork tonight.”
Sally swallowed the rest of coffee.
“I’d better be getting back to work myself.”
Norton clicked his heels and stood at attention. “I’d better do the same then.”

---------------------

The night air was cool, there was a mist in the air.
Johnnie walked over to the pay phone, and picked up the receiver.
He dialed the familiar number, and listed nervously as he heard the line ringing on the other end.
There was click, before he heard the soft voice on the other end. 
“Hello?”
“It’s me, I’m sorry, I know its late, but I needed someone to talk to.”
Johnnie could here the tired sound of her voice.
There was a sound in background, something barely recognizable.
“Are you there alone?”
“Well.....um....yes, I’m alone.”
Johnnie took a deep breathe, he heard Marlene’s voice,
“Is there something wrong?”
Johnnie sighed, and closed his eyes as he leaned against the wall, “Yeah.”
“If you want, you can come here and we can talk about it.”
Johnnie said, “I’d like that.”
Marlene said softly, “I’ll wait for you then.”
“I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”
“Okay Johnnie.”

Johnnie hung up the phone, and walked out into the darkness.


To be continued.