Disclaimer: I make no claims whatsoever as long as you both shall live.
Author's Notes: Watch Kristen go from light comedy to EXTREME angst. Because as someone on my Buffy message board once said, "extreme angst can be fun". Goddess bless you, Jacqui.
Dedication: To the gang. Good luck in college and the only advice I'm going to give you is don't date one of the RA's in your dorm.
****
Wherever You Are
by Kristen Elizabeth
****
"Hilde...have you seen my other sock?"
"The blue pair or the black?"
Duo Maxwell peeked his head into the laundry room and gave his wife a look. "Babe....what color do you think goes with a black suit?"
She laughed and placed a hand on her stomach, swollen with eight months of pregnancy. "Knowing you, Duo...anything goes." Before he could reply, she plucked a black sock out of the pile of dry clothes. "Here. Don't say I never gave you anything."
"I could never say that." Duo leaned and kissed her cheek.
Just then, the other thing she had given him four years earlier wandered into the back of the house. "Mommy. Daddy." Samuel Maxwell looked up at his parents with huge smile. One of his father's ties was draped around his little neck. "I ready to go."
Desperately trying not to laugh, Hilde Maxwell bent over as much as she could in her condition. "And don't you look handsome. But baby, I think you'd better stay home tonight with Miss Annie." She unwound Duo's necktie. "It's going to be a very boring grown-up's night out."
Samuel's lower lip quivered dangerously. "Don't go, Mommy."
"Hey, buddy." Duo scooped up his son. "I need you to stay home so you can keep an eye on Buster." Upon hearing his name, their black Labrador lifted his head from the tiled laundry room floor. "You can't let Miss Annie forget to let him outside."
"I won't, Daddy." Samuel's little features were a mask of seriousness. Duo set him down and Samuel scampered away with Buster dutifully following.
"Hey!", Hilde called out, bringing their son to a halt. "Don't I get a kiss, at least?"
Samuel ran back as fast as his little legs would carry him. He flung his arms around his mother's thigh. Duo picked him up, holding him at Hilde's eye level. She kissed her son's cheek. Giggling, Samuel rubbed at his face and as soon as Duo put him down again, he and Buster ran off.
"Are you sure you want another one of those?", Duo asked her, teasingly.
It was her turn to give him a look. "It's a little late to ponder that", she replied, indicating her round belly.
He pulled her back against his chest, resting his chin on her shoulder and his hands on the place their child grew. "You okay, babe? You seem a little tired."
Smiling, Hilde turned around and put her arms around his neck. "Duo...after you've carried a child around inside you for eight months, I'd like to see how pert and perky you are." She gave him a light kiss.
"Well, you just make it seem so easy." Duo returned the kiss. "I take it back. You don't look tired; you look beautiful."
"Not at all like a pumpkin, right?" Her blue eyes sparkled.
Duo searched his brain for an answer that wouldn't get him in trouble. "More like a very huggable beach ball."
She grabbed the sock from his hand and smacked him with it. "Oh, just go get dressed! We're going to be late."
Dropping a kiss on her forehead, Duo walked back to their room, flopped on the bed and began pulling on his socks. "Where are we going, anyways?"
His wife stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips. "Duo Maxwell....I have only told you where we're going every day for the past two weeks. I really thought you were listening to me at least one of those times."
"Wait...don't tell me...." Duo squeezed his eyes shut in concentration. "We're having....drinks. No! Dinner."
"Where?" Hilde folded her hands on her stomach.
"Um...." He bit his lip. "It's a French place. Wait...Italian. Ah! I remember; it's Japanese!"
"Who are we having dinner with?"
Duo smiled. "Simple. Heero and Relena. Who else would drag us to a sushi bar?"
"And what are we doing after dinner?"
He smiled wickedly. "Slasher city, baby!!"
Hilde moved forward and patted his head. "Very good. And here I thought you had forgotten."
"Mind like a steel trap." He tapped his temple. Catching her wrist, he stood up and planted a huge kiss on her lips. "I've been waiting to get you alone in a dark theater with a scary movie playing for weeks. As soon as the lights dim...." The doorbell rang, breaking the moment.
"That would be the babysitter", Hilde whispered. Backing up, she waved a hand toward his bare foot. "Hurry up, sweetie. We are now officially going to be late."
"Babe..." Duo stopped her before she could leave. Holding up the freshly dried sock to the light, he frowned. "I think this is the blue one."
****
"Itadakimasu!" Their kimono-clad waitress bowed as she set a large, flat wooden board, dotted with pieces of raw fish and rolled rice wraps in various colors and sizes, in front of them.
"Domo", Heero Yuy replied, lowering his head.
Duo leaned towards Hilde. "Why do I get the feeling that she said 'I hope you are able to choke this down, foolish American' and he agreed with her?", he whispered.
"Because you're a dork." Hilde pinched his arm and handed him a set of chopsticks.
With his own chopsticks, Heero picked up a strange-looking piece of sushi and set it on the smaller wooden platform in front of Hilde. "When we ordered, she told me that this is supposed to be good for pregnant women. Something about the nutrients."
"What's in it?", Hilde asked, politely.
Heero's wife, Relena Peacecraft-Yuy, examined the menu. "Yellowtail snapper, cucumber, rice, seaweed and roe."
Bravely, Hilde picked up the piece and put it in her mouth. She was more than relieved to find that it was actually very good. Swallowing, she nodded. "It must be the roe."
"What the hell are you feeding my wife, Yuy?"
Heero fixed a cool stare on his best friend. "Why don't you try it and find out? Or are you afraid?"
Determined not to be shown up, Duo fumbled with his chopsticks until he had them in what he thought was the right position. He reached for a rice roll, which promptly fell onto the table. Heero shook his head sadly. Scowling, Duo tried again only to have the piece of sushi escape him once more. Finally, Duo gave up and stabbed the piece with one chopstick. He popped it into his mouth and chewed.
Relena hid her laughter behind her hand. "Nice technique, Duo."
He made a face as he kept chewing, desperately fighting against his gag reflex. He reached for his beer and took a long gulp. "Don't tell me an entire culture lives on this stuff!", he declared, after the beer washed away the taste of seaweed.
Heero picked up a piece of sashimi. "It's better for you than burgers and fries."
"At least they're cooked."
Taking her husband's hand, Relena slipped into her role as peacekeeper. "Sushi is an accquired taste. But so are burgers and fries. Personally, I'd take baklava over both sushi and burgers anyday."
Hilde set her chopsticks down. "Bratwurst and sauerkraut. You just can't get them anywhere but Germany."
"There's probably a reason for that, babe."
For the second time that night, Hilde pinched her husband. "You're such an American."
"And you're so cute when you're mad." Duo kissed her nose.
They went ignored as Heero fed his own wife another piece of sashimi. "Maybe he'll like the tenpura", Relena said, swallowing the snapper. "It's fried."
Heero gave her a soft kiss. "We just won't tell him it's vegetables." Relena nodded and rested her forehead against his shoulder. "You've been quiet tonight."
She closed her eyes. "Just thinking about that letter."
Her husband's arm encircled her. "All of Trowa's sources say it's completely ungrounded, Relena."
"I know. And it's not the only death threat I've gotten in the past two weeks. But still....it shook me up."
"Don't worry." He pressed a kiss into her honey-colored locks. "I'd never let anything happen to you."
"Babe?" Duo's voice broke through their conversation. "What's wrong?"
Hilde put a hand to her forehead. "Nothing. It's really hot in here. But other than that, I'm fine."
"Actually..." Relena stopped before she could say that she was freezing even with Heero's jacket around her shoulders.
Duo's hand went to her stomach. "Everything okay in there?"
"She's kicking up a storm", Hilde sighed. "She is so completely your daughter...demanding my attention."
"That's my girl." Duo scooted his chair back so he could lean down and place his ear against his wife's belly.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Heero raised an eyebrow at Hilde. "Your face is pale."
"I'm tired." Hilde looked down at the sushi. "And a little nauseous."
Duo sat up. "Do you want to call it a night?"
"I think that might be a good idea. But I don't want you to miss your movie." Hilde laughed. "Slasher city, remember?"
"It can wait. 'Sides, the whole point was to have you grab my arm during the scary parts."
Hilde shook her head. "You've been waiting for it to come out. Just get a refund on my ticket and go with Heero and Relena. I'll find my own way home."
Duo hesitated. "Babe..."
"Buxom, insipid, blonde heroines running from an ax-wielding, masked madman. Blood, guts, carnage, little to no plot...", Hilde tempted him.
Sighing, he gave in. "Fine. But I'm driving you home first."
"If you do that, you'll miss the opening credits."
Relena spoke up. "Bruce could drive her home in the limo", she offered. "We'll take your car to the movies and then Bruce will pick Heero and I up from there afterwards."
"See?" Hilde gave her husband a tired smile. "It's all taken care of."
Heero caught the waitresses' eye and she hurried over to them. Upon seeing Hilde's pale expression, the girl frowned. "Doitugo no onna wa genki jya nai desu ka?"
"Eeh", Heero replied, pulling several bills from his wallet. "Demo...sushi wa totemo yokatta desu. Domo arigatou."
Duo translated for his wife. "She said 'So, the American survived. Our mission has failed.' And he said 'Yes. But we will get them next time'."
"You need help."
****
"Are you sure about this, babe?"
Hilde looked up at her husband from the backseat of Relena's plush limousine. "I get to ride home in style and put my feet up when I get there. You get to go watch people get slashed in technicolor. Of course I'm sure."
Her husband leaned into the door and captured her lips in a long kiss. "I think I kind of love you."
"Well, I think I kind of love you, too." Hilde gently touched the side of his face. "I'll see you at home, sweetie."
Duo kissed her one more time before closing the car door. Patting the roof, he stepped back onto the curb. The limousine pulled away as he rejoined his friends. "Let's go. If we miss a single preview, I'm holding Heero personally responsible."
The explosion shattered the quiet night air, seeming to illuminate the entire world for a brief moment. Training forced Duo and Heero to the ground; Heero took Relena down with him, wrapping his body around hers as a shield. After a moment, their heads lifted.
Heero struggled to his feet, holding onto Relena. He put a hand to his eyes, blocking out the fierce light. When his eyes finally adjusted, his heart dropped to his stomach. Half a block down the road, what remained of the limousine was engulfed in flames.
His mouth was dry. He found that he couldn't move. Relena lifted her head from his chest. "Heero", she whispered. "What...?" Her gaze found the source of the explosion. Without a word, she fainted.
Duo didn't want to get up. He didn't want to see. His eyes stung, but it wasn't entirely from the thick smoke around them. The roar of a raging fire filled his ears, blocking out every unwanted thought. He bent over until his forehead pressed against the dirty cobblestone street. His arms clenched his stomach.
Heero fell to his knees, supporting an unconcious Relena. "Duo..." He touched his best friend's shaking shoulder.
His friend's head shot up, braid flopping over his back. "Hilde!" He stood up. "Hilde...baby, are you okay?"
Gently laying Relena down, Heero got back up. "Don't, Duo."
Duo grabbed his shoulders. "I have to find Hilde. She might have been hurt!"
Heero placed his hands on the other man's arms. "Duo, the limo..."
"I have to find her." Shaking Heero away, Duo turned around to face the fire. "Hilde!" He ran forward. "Hilde...baby!! Talk to me!"
A smaller explosion rocked the broken limousine. Duo's arms flew up as a shield. The force of the second blast hit him; he stumbled backwards into Heero, knocking them both to the ground.
"Hilde!!", he screamed, trying to scramble to his feet. Heero grabbed him, holding him back. Duo struggled against the other man. "Get the fuck away from me!!"
"Stop. There's nothing you can do." His friend held on tighter.
Duo continued to fight, desperate to reach his wife. "Hilde!! Hilde, baby....please!" Tears flooded down his cheeks. "Hilde...hang on! I'm coming to get you!!"
Heero's voice was quiet. "Duo...she's gone."
He shattered as realization swept over him. Closing his eyes, he screamed, rendering the entire city with his anguish. The sound of sirens was drowned out as he cried her name.
"HILDE!!"
****
TBC
Author's Notes: Watch Kristen go from light comedy to EXTREME angst. Because as someone on my Buffy message board once said, "extreme angst can be fun". Goddess bless you, Jacqui.
Dedication: To the gang. Good luck in college and the only advice I'm going to give you is don't date one of the RA's in your dorm.
****
Wherever You Are
by Kristen Elizabeth
****
"Hilde...have you seen my other sock?"
"The blue pair or the black?"
Duo Maxwell peeked his head into the laundry room and gave his wife a look. "Babe....what color do you think goes with a black suit?"
She laughed and placed a hand on her stomach, swollen with eight months of pregnancy. "Knowing you, Duo...anything goes." Before he could reply, she plucked a black sock out of the pile of dry clothes. "Here. Don't say I never gave you anything."
"I could never say that." Duo leaned and kissed her cheek.
Just then, the other thing she had given him four years earlier wandered into the back of the house. "Mommy. Daddy." Samuel Maxwell looked up at his parents with huge smile. One of his father's ties was draped around his little neck. "I ready to go."
Desperately trying not to laugh, Hilde Maxwell bent over as much as she could in her condition. "And don't you look handsome. But baby, I think you'd better stay home tonight with Miss Annie." She unwound Duo's necktie. "It's going to be a very boring grown-up's night out."
Samuel's lower lip quivered dangerously. "Don't go, Mommy."
"Hey, buddy." Duo scooped up his son. "I need you to stay home so you can keep an eye on Buster." Upon hearing his name, their black Labrador lifted his head from the tiled laundry room floor. "You can't let Miss Annie forget to let him outside."
"I won't, Daddy." Samuel's little features were a mask of seriousness. Duo set him down and Samuel scampered away with Buster dutifully following.
"Hey!", Hilde called out, bringing their son to a halt. "Don't I get a kiss, at least?"
Samuel ran back as fast as his little legs would carry him. He flung his arms around his mother's thigh. Duo picked him up, holding him at Hilde's eye level. She kissed her son's cheek. Giggling, Samuel rubbed at his face and as soon as Duo put him down again, he and Buster ran off.
"Are you sure you want another one of those?", Duo asked her, teasingly.
It was her turn to give him a look. "It's a little late to ponder that", she replied, indicating her round belly.
He pulled her back against his chest, resting his chin on her shoulder and his hands on the place their child grew. "You okay, babe? You seem a little tired."
Smiling, Hilde turned around and put her arms around his neck. "Duo...after you've carried a child around inside you for eight months, I'd like to see how pert and perky you are." She gave him a light kiss.
"Well, you just make it seem so easy." Duo returned the kiss. "I take it back. You don't look tired; you look beautiful."
"Not at all like a pumpkin, right?" Her blue eyes sparkled.
Duo searched his brain for an answer that wouldn't get him in trouble. "More like a very huggable beach ball."
She grabbed the sock from his hand and smacked him with it. "Oh, just go get dressed! We're going to be late."
Dropping a kiss on her forehead, Duo walked back to their room, flopped on the bed and began pulling on his socks. "Where are we going, anyways?"
His wife stood in the doorway, her hands on her hips. "Duo Maxwell....I have only told you where we're going every day for the past two weeks. I really thought you were listening to me at least one of those times."
"Wait...don't tell me...." Duo squeezed his eyes shut in concentration. "We're having....drinks. No! Dinner."
"Where?" Hilde folded her hands on her stomach.
"Um...." He bit his lip. "It's a French place. Wait...Italian. Ah! I remember; it's Japanese!"
"Who are we having dinner with?"
Duo smiled. "Simple. Heero and Relena. Who else would drag us to a sushi bar?"
"And what are we doing after dinner?"
He smiled wickedly. "Slasher city, baby!!"
Hilde moved forward and patted his head. "Very good. And here I thought you had forgotten."
"Mind like a steel trap." He tapped his temple. Catching her wrist, he stood up and planted a huge kiss on her lips. "I've been waiting to get you alone in a dark theater with a scary movie playing for weeks. As soon as the lights dim...." The doorbell rang, breaking the moment.
"That would be the babysitter", Hilde whispered. Backing up, she waved a hand toward his bare foot. "Hurry up, sweetie. We are now officially going to be late."
"Babe..." Duo stopped her before she could leave. Holding up the freshly dried sock to the light, he frowned. "I think this is the blue one."
****
"Itadakimasu!" Their kimono-clad waitress bowed as she set a large, flat wooden board, dotted with pieces of raw fish and rolled rice wraps in various colors and sizes, in front of them.
"Domo", Heero Yuy replied, lowering his head.
Duo leaned towards Hilde. "Why do I get the feeling that she said 'I hope you are able to choke this down, foolish American' and he agreed with her?", he whispered.
"Because you're a dork." Hilde pinched his arm and handed him a set of chopsticks.
With his own chopsticks, Heero picked up a strange-looking piece of sushi and set it on the smaller wooden platform in front of Hilde. "When we ordered, she told me that this is supposed to be good for pregnant women. Something about the nutrients."
"What's in it?", Hilde asked, politely.
Heero's wife, Relena Peacecraft-Yuy, examined the menu. "Yellowtail snapper, cucumber, rice, seaweed and roe."
Bravely, Hilde picked up the piece and put it in her mouth. She was more than relieved to find that it was actually very good. Swallowing, she nodded. "It must be the roe."
"What the hell are you feeding my wife, Yuy?"
Heero fixed a cool stare on his best friend. "Why don't you try it and find out? Or are you afraid?"
Determined not to be shown up, Duo fumbled with his chopsticks until he had them in what he thought was the right position. He reached for a rice roll, which promptly fell onto the table. Heero shook his head sadly. Scowling, Duo tried again only to have the piece of sushi escape him once more. Finally, Duo gave up and stabbed the piece with one chopstick. He popped it into his mouth and chewed.
Relena hid her laughter behind her hand. "Nice technique, Duo."
He made a face as he kept chewing, desperately fighting against his gag reflex. He reached for his beer and took a long gulp. "Don't tell me an entire culture lives on this stuff!", he declared, after the beer washed away the taste of seaweed.
Heero picked up a piece of sashimi. "It's better for you than burgers and fries."
"At least they're cooked."
Taking her husband's hand, Relena slipped into her role as peacekeeper. "Sushi is an accquired taste. But so are burgers and fries. Personally, I'd take baklava over both sushi and burgers anyday."
Hilde set her chopsticks down. "Bratwurst and sauerkraut. You just can't get them anywhere but Germany."
"There's probably a reason for that, babe."
For the second time that night, Hilde pinched her husband. "You're such an American."
"And you're so cute when you're mad." Duo kissed her nose.
They went ignored as Heero fed his own wife another piece of sashimi. "Maybe he'll like the tenpura", Relena said, swallowing the snapper. "It's fried."
Heero gave her a soft kiss. "We just won't tell him it's vegetables." Relena nodded and rested her forehead against his shoulder. "You've been quiet tonight."
She closed her eyes. "Just thinking about that letter."
Her husband's arm encircled her. "All of Trowa's sources say it's completely ungrounded, Relena."
"I know. And it's not the only death threat I've gotten in the past two weeks. But still....it shook me up."
"Don't worry." He pressed a kiss into her honey-colored locks. "I'd never let anything happen to you."
"Babe?" Duo's voice broke through their conversation. "What's wrong?"
Hilde put a hand to her forehead. "Nothing. It's really hot in here. But other than that, I'm fine."
"Actually..." Relena stopped before she could say that she was freezing even with Heero's jacket around her shoulders.
Duo's hand went to her stomach. "Everything okay in there?"
"She's kicking up a storm", Hilde sighed. "She is so completely your daughter...demanding my attention."
"That's my girl." Duo scooted his chair back so he could lean down and place his ear against his wife's belly.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Heero raised an eyebrow at Hilde. "Your face is pale."
"I'm tired." Hilde looked down at the sushi. "And a little nauseous."
Duo sat up. "Do you want to call it a night?"
"I think that might be a good idea. But I don't want you to miss your movie." Hilde laughed. "Slasher city, remember?"
"It can wait. 'Sides, the whole point was to have you grab my arm during the scary parts."
Hilde shook her head. "You've been waiting for it to come out. Just get a refund on my ticket and go with Heero and Relena. I'll find my own way home."
Duo hesitated. "Babe..."
"Buxom, insipid, blonde heroines running from an ax-wielding, masked madman. Blood, guts, carnage, little to no plot...", Hilde tempted him.
Sighing, he gave in. "Fine. But I'm driving you home first."
"If you do that, you'll miss the opening credits."
Relena spoke up. "Bruce could drive her home in the limo", she offered. "We'll take your car to the movies and then Bruce will pick Heero and I up from there afterwards."
"See?" Hilde gave her husband a tired smile. "It's all taken care of."
Heero caught the waitresses' eye and she hurried over to them. Upon seeing Hilde's pale expression, the girl frowned. "Doitugo no onna wa genki jya nai desu ka?"
"Eeh", Heero replied, pulling several bills from his wallet. "Demo...sushi wa totemo yokatta desu. Domo arigatou."
Duo translated for his wife. "She said 'So, the American survived. Our mission has failed.' And he said 'Yes. But we will get them next time'."
"You need help."
****
"Are you sure about this, babe?"
Hilde looked up at her husband from the backseat of Relena's plush limousine. "I get to ride home in style and put my feet up when I get there. You get to go watch people get slashed in technicolor. Of course I'm sure."
Her husband leaned into the door and captured her lips in a long kiss. "I think I kind of love you."
"Well, I think I kind of love you, too." Hilde gently touched the side of his face. "I'll see you at home, sweetie."
Duo kissed her one more time before closing the car door. Patting the roof, he stepped back onto the curb. The limousine pulled away as he rejoined his friends. "Let's go. If we miss a single preview, I'm holding Heero personally responsible."
The explosion shattered the quiet night air, seeming to illuminate the entire world for a brief moment. Training forced Duo and Heero to the ground; Heero took Relena down with him, wrapping his body around hers as a shield. After a moment, their heads lifted.
Heero struggled to his feet, holding onto Relena. He put a hand to his eyes, blocking out the fierce light. When his eyes finally adjusted, his heart dropped to his stomach. Half a block down the road, what remained of the limousine was engulfed in flames.
His mouth was dry. He found that he couldn't move. Relena lifted her head from his chest. "Heero", she whispered. "What...?" Her gaze found the source of the explosion. Without a word, she fainted.
Duo didn't want to get up. He didn't want to see. His eyes stung, but it wasn't entirely from the thick smoke around them. The roar of a raging fire filled his ears, blocking out every unwanted thought. He bent over until his forehead pressed against the dirty cobblestone street. His arms clenched his stomach.
Heero fell to his knees, supporting an unconcious Relena. "Duo..." He touched his best friend's shaking shoulder.
His friend's head shot up, braid flopping over his back. "Hilde!" He stood up. "Hilde...baby, are you okay?"
Gently laying Relena down, Heero got back up. "Don't, Duo."
Duo grabbed his shoulders. "I have to find Hilde. She might have been hurt!"
Heero placed his hands on the other man's arms. "Duo, the limo..."
"I have to find her." Shaking Heero away, Duo turned around to face the fire. "Hilde!" He ran forward. "Hilde...baby!! Talk to me!"
A smaller explosion rocked the broken limousine. Duo's arms flew up as a shield. The force of the second blast hit him; he stumbled backwards into Heero, knocking them both to the ground.
"Hilde!!", he screamed, trying to scramble to his feet. Heero grabbed him, holding him back. Duo struggled against the other man. "Get the fuck away from me!!"
"Stop. There's nothing you can do." His friend held on tighter.
Duo continued to fight, desperate to reach his wife. "Hilde!! Hilde, baby....please!" Tears flooded down his cheeks. "Hilde...hang on! I'm coming to get you!!"
Heero's voice was quiet. "Duo...she's gone."
He shattered as realization swept over him. Closing his eyes, he screamed, rendering the entire city with his anguish. The sound of sirens was drowned out as he cried her name.
"HILDE!!"
****
TBC