Author's Note: The story seems to be taking on a life of its own oddly enough. Its funny writing because I don't even know where I am going half the time my fingers do the work and my mind spins a picture. Ahhh but here I am wheezing on like an old lady when you could careless as always enjoy and let me know what you think.

Love and War

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." -Napoleon

Battle 2 – Ortona

Spitting dirt Heero jumped to his feet, looking behind him he saw the smoke rising from the base, "Oh my god…" grabbing his rifle he ran for the base, his picking up speed with every pace. Cursing in ever language he knew he made it within minutes, the smoke was coming from the mess hall, about to break through the doors he paused as years of training took over. A running leap he grabbed the overhand of the building hauling himself upwards running along the top he came to where a hole was blasted in the roof. Laying flat he watched what was going on in the hall. Immediately recognizing the leader, a man they called Zechs.

"Well my friends, looks like we have a party here." The dust in the hall had finally settled the back wall that they had blown to enter had killed about twenty men. Leaving those who survived stunned and susceptible to attack. Heero counted thirty men from his position on the roof, but there could be more. Raising his head he looked towards the towers waiting for the alarm to sound waiting for the reinforcements…it never came.

"Now we have things to do, places to go people to blackmail, so if you Commander," he waved to Kurshander, "You go on there and open up your little hidey hole I know is there," he waved his gun towards the floor. "Your little back up plan, now you open it up, and you and what's left of your men are going to get in." As Heero watched the Commander first refused but a gun barrel pressed to the head of an already wounded soldier. With great reluctance he opened the fall out shelter, titanium reinforcement built to withstand a nuclear blast. The final solution to the rebel issue.

He watched as most of the garrison was marched underground, they were a small garrison comparatively all advanced training, all loyal to the Allies, " We are 600 men strong," muttering to himself he tried to gain were his numbers were. "600 men normally, I know there are currently 30 on leave, 40 in the infirmary, 20 on long range patrol that are not due back until seven am tomorrow." Blue eyes made quick mental calculations there was close to 490 men being forced in. He watched as several officers Trowa among them, as well as Kushander were being forced into the kitchen. An unknown blonde man stumbled Trowa blocked the rifle butt aimed at the other man.

It was all done very quickly with in minutes all the men of the mess were locked away within the bunker or in the kitchen. Zechs gleefully skipped down the centre of the now empty hall coming to a stop before a man with a black ponytail, he recognized him instantly. Gritting his teeth he lowered a growl, it was Chang Wufei…second in command to the Rebels on Terra 3. Heero and him had gone several times, last time he'd met Heero has nearly lost an eye. There was still a faint scar under his left eye.

"We did it my sweet…" Zechs leaned forward placing a wet kiss on his lovers cheek, "Phase one complete…" pulling away with a growl Wufei glared at his lover, "I didn't see Yuy among them." Shrugging Zechs pulled him close once more, "He's probably out on the long patrol and they won't be back till morning. In the meantime we have all the time we need here." Heero felt his fingers curl around corrugated steel he was hanging onto to. Every word was amplified in the now empty hall, "Sir!" A man in a grey fatigues saluted, "Sir! All sentries are dead, the medical wing in now locked, only those on long range patrol left." Grinning Zechs spun his little Chinese lover around before pulling him close, "Now my dear we are going to get our money."

At the far end of the hall there was activity, the screen came down, the one they used when the were getting orders from headquarters. Things were beginning to fall into place. Zechs was giving his lover one hell of a kiss, before pulling away he straightened his clothing and paced forward into the centre of the room. The screen clicked on and there was Allied headquarters. "What is the meaning of this!" the head of military ops did not look happy, his unhappiness turned to confusion as he came face to face with someone who he'd hoped to god and been killed long ago. "Zechs!" he hissed, "Ahhh good Director Shepard I was hoping you hadn't forgotten about me." The other men around the table looked confused, "However I am not here banter idle chatter, sorry Shepard but I have things that need to be done. Currently I am in command of the Terra 3 base of operations. All of its men are now my prisoners…all of which are at my mercy." There was a pause form the other end, "What do you want?" Zechs grinned like a mad men, "I want all Rebel forces currently in detention freed, then I want money. A small little operation like ours needs funding you understand." Director Shepard looked stone faced, "You have six hours Director, or else I start executing your brave little soldiers and broadcasting it to the universe. Now you can release my men, along with eighty million…or the blood of your men is on your hands." He nodded to the men and the transmission was cut.

Heero closed his eyes, his mind racing things were going from bad to worse. Allied Command has zero negations policy with terrorists. They were all dead.

-#-#-#-

"You know this man?" Director Shepard grimaced as the table focused on him, "He was one of our little 'projects' part of the Perfect Solider Program we incited. He went bad." Director Shepard, looked at the various members of the board, "That right now is neither here nor there, we need to know what the hell is going on up there." The table hesitated, "We have to call her…" Director of Naval operations said quietly. The men winced, "She is the President of the Allied Coalition, this new government." He continued, with great trepidation and hesitation, he picked of the phone, "Put me through to President Peacecraft."

-#-#-#-

He hit the ground quietly patrols were walking the walls ever fifteen minutes, silent as the night he slipped around the building. Pausing in the shadows he heard the sound of foot falls, ducking into the open doorway in the back off the hall he pressed against the wall waiting for the man to past.

A small noise behind him made him melt into the shadows. Duo hurt all over, he tried to stifle his sobs, he had heard the whole exchange in the hall before moving behind the stage towards the door. Suddenly a cool metal barrel was being pressed into the base of his skull. A deep voice whispered in his ear, "Make a sound and I kill you, who are you and what are you doing here?" Struggling to comply he whispered back, "M-my name is D-Duo Maxwell I was here tonight as part of the entertainment." The gun was removed and sturdy hands were propelling him towards the door, "Be silent, follow close, we'll talk later."

Suddenly they were running in the night air, very quickly, dodging and weaving the came to a small out building in the corner of the base. The outside was locked, but the figure leading Duo pressed him against the side of the building shushing him before breaking into the window above them. Hauling himself inside, Duo saw him lean back out beckoning him towards him. Without a word strong arms hauled him up and in without any noticeable strain. Once inside the dark figure of his savoir moved to the center of the floor pulling open a secret panel he waved him down before joining him, and pulling the door shut behind them locking it.

The chamber they were in was dark, not daring to move Duo heard the other man rustling around, there was the sound of a lighter, flame flared to life and a candle was lit. Followed by several more. "There, we are safe for now." The flame illuminated shaggy brown hair, and a rather dirty face. Duo wasn't sure who exactly this man was and what he was up too. The large figure began moving along the walls with the candle and for the first time Duo noted they were in something like an armory. "Ummm…excuse me?" pausing in cocking what looked to be a rifle, he almost looked surprised to see Duo there. "Sorry but could you tell me who you are? Maybe what's going on here?" Pausing the man gave him a small smile, "Sorry, my name is Heero Yuy, Captain Allied forces Terra 3. Unfortunately you are caught in the middle of a Rebel ploy to blackmail headquarters, and unfortunate for me I'm the only one flying under the radar and in any position to help."

Duo felt tears welling up in his eyes, why was he here? What had he done to deserve this? He could feel himself becoming hysterical and suddenly there was very blue eyes in his field of vision, "Hey, calm down…deep breath, if you panic they win. Keep your head and will get through this." Snuffling Duo did as Heero said deep breath and he felt the panic lessen in his chest, he was still scared but the man with the beautiful blue eyes and calm deep voice, was helping. Suddenly realizing they were very close Duo blinked, and as Heero backed away Duo wasn't sure but he thought the man may have been blushing,

Heero felt his own breathing quicken, but it wasn't panic, or no…he was in a tiny candle lit room with the man of his dreams. So very venerable and so damn beautiful. Turning back to the guns he closed his eyes briefly collecting himself, time to moon later right now he had a base to take back. Grabbing the dark bag off the floor he began putting weapons in guns, knives, ammunition, grenades, C4. Turning to look at Duo, who now seemed much calmer but still nervous, he shed his long sleeve over shirt, pulling on his flack jacket he loaded up. Filling pockets with ammunition, he grabbed the grease paint smearing his face. Moving back to Duo he hunkered down beside him, "Look you just stay here you'll be safe." Panic began to fill large eyes again, "No! Please don't leave me!" sighing Heero looked around, "Ok, here get changed, and your going to carry this knapsack and as much ammo as you can handle and when I need it your going to give it to me understood?" Nodding eagerly he accepted the dark clothing and began to strip immediately.

-#-#-#-

"Gentlemen what exactly is the situation?" Relena Peacecraft head of the new government sat at the head of the table looking deceptively calm. Director Shepard head of Military Operations of the outlying plants, cleared his throat. "In a nutshell Ma'm is that the head of the Rebel force currently had the base at Terra 3 at his mercy, with almost 600 men hostage. He wants money and the freedom of his compatriots, or else he will start killing them one by one broadcasting it to the universe."

President Peacecraft closed her eyes, this was bad, "Is there anything we can do?" Sighing Director Shepard looked around the table, "we have a 6 hour window we cannot get reinforcements there in that time, nor can we reach anyone out there via radio." Relena once looked at everyone around the table, all looked shamefaced, "Is there no hope at all?"

-#-#-#-

"What are these tunnels?" Duo whispered he was trying to keep eyes on the figure hurrying ahead of him, "They were built in case of a direct siege on the base. So we could get everywhere without being out in the open, the only place they do not connect to unfortunately is the bunker." Cursing Duo grabbed his elbow having bumped it off the side of the tunnel. "Where are we going?" Duo whispered still following closely, the ammo he had draped over his neck clinked softly as they wound around and around again. "To the control tower, see if we can get a signal out…" Heero muttered carefully prying open a door above them.

Pushing his head out Heero did a quick sweep before hoping out. Gun held under his shoulder he checked the immediate area was clear before he reached an arm down to Duo. Grasping the strong forearm he was not prepared for the way Heero pulled him up and out as if he weighed nothing. Gasping he stumbled into waiting arms. "Careful," Heero whispered, Duo felt his face heat, just as quickly he was released. Moving quickly Heero approached the first guard before the man realized what was happening he snapped the man's neck allowing him to slump to the ground. A muffled squeak alerted him to Duo who was looking very pale under the black face paint.

Wincing internally Heero realized this was probably the first time he'd ever seen someone die. They were given no time as another guard rounded the corner. Still crouched over the already dead guard Heero gabbed the knife in his boot throwing it with deadly accuracy. The man fell with a sick gurgle, running Heero cleared the door dashing up the tower stairs. Pausing outside the door of the control tower he grimly counted the men down, while there were five Rebels monitoring the radio frequencies.

He heard Duo panting lightly behind him, "Stay here, keep low until it's safe…" with that he ran inside guns blazing. Duo whimpered quietly hands pressed tightly to his ears. It all seemed surreal he could see the man, Heero running forward and the Rebels falling silently to the floor. What seemed like hours for him was really minutes and it was all over. "Duo it's ok," he called softly motioning him forward, rummaging around at the control bored he shifted one of the bodies off the panel. Duo watched the lifeless face as it slid to the floor. Frozen in surprise.

Duo moved forward on shaky legs wanting to be close by this man who seemed so calm and cool and collected in such a desperate situation. "What now Heero?" he whispered standing next to him, grimly he looked at the flashing lights before him. "Duo I need you to check the pulse of the man on the floor, and I am going to try and call in help…"

-#-#-#-

"Gentlemen this situation is getting far more desperate by the second." President Peacecraft was almost at the breaking point it had been an hour since the rebels had called in their demands. With no knowledge of the situation it was beginning to look like they were going to have to give in. "We will not negotiate with terrorists…" came the stiff reply of Director Shepard. Relena pinned him with a stare, "I will stand idly by and watch hundreds of our soldier's be executed." The table erupted men yelling opinions, they were clearly divided; either they give in or they watch more die.

Sighing Relena rubbed her tired eyes what to do… "President!" turning all present watched as an aid dashed across the control centre where they were all gathered. "President on the line! Line one there is a man!" Standing Relena looked at the trembling young aid, "What on the line?" Taking a deep breath he steadied himself, "On the line ma'm a Captain Yuy…he's calling from Terra 3." Silence, before there was an immediate scramble as all rushed to the phone standing innocently in the centre of the table. Relena shushed them all, motioning for Director Shepard to answer. Pressing the button the man took a deep breath, "Captain Yuy you are now on the line with General Shepard Director of Operations for the Terra Project." There was static, "Sir!" everyone was sitting on the edge of the seat by this point.

"Captain are you aware of what is going on? "

"Yes Sir."

"Yuy the situation is serious, we cannot get help out there for 6 hours now it is on the way, but until that time you are on your own."

"Roger that Sir,"

"Do you know how many enemies are present?"

There was a pause before, "No sure Sir, but much of the main force is outside the base dealing with the Long Patrol."

"Affirmative Captain, your orders are to if possible rendezvous with the rest of the force…"

"Sir are you asking me to take on the Rebel force?"

Director Shepard sighed softly, "I realize this is a tall order Captain, but your are only chance."

"Affirmative Sir, I have to go now before they realize I got the signal out."

"Roger that Captain, and Yuy…exercise extreme prejudice."

Silence, "Roger Sir, Captain Yuy over and out." The line went dead, and the tension filled room veritably crackled. "Director did you just ask one man to fight a war?" Director Shepard looked pensively at the silent phone. "I did…" turning his attention to his aid he spoke quickly and calmly, "Get me the file on Captain Yuy." Nodding the man shuffled off. President Peacecraft was silent, they had their hope, now they could only wait but she was not going to take this laying down. "Gentlemen while we wait, we pack up we are now en route to Terra 3. I will not take this lightly."

-#-#-#-

"Sir!" One of the Rebel soldiers called over Captain Wufei and Captain Zechs. They had set up in the main hall. "Sirs!" The two joined the man at the console, "What is it?" Zechs asked flippantly, "There was a signal sent out, it was brief but it defiantly was sent from the base." Wufei narrowed his eyes, "Ahhhh…Yuy," Zech looked sideways at his lover. "You think?" the Chinese man half smiled, "I know."

-#-#-#-

Heero hung up the phone moving to grab the satellite cell, as a way of staying in touch. "Heero I think…I think he has a pulse." Rushing over Heero looked at the fallen man, he recognized him as one of the computer 'geeks' keeping tabs on all the electric equipment. "Corporal Campbell can you hear me?" The man moaned, gesturing Duo over he pulled the first aid kit out of the backpack. "Campbell you hang with me yes?" The man on the floor blinked slowly, "Captain?" he moaned Heero located the man gunshot, it was slowly oozing blood from his side. From what Heero could tell it looked as though it was a was a through and through. He bound his side tightly.

"Is he going to be ok?" Duo was kneeling close by watching the whole process, nodding Heero patted the man on the floor softly, "Come on Campbell stop being a wuss it's just a scratch." Chuckling the other man wheezed softly, "Sure, sure…" bandaged he propped Campbell up, "Ok Corporal we will get you to the hospital wing no worries." Rummaging in the backpack he watched as his cell phone rolled out he'd forgotten he'd put it there.

"I wonder?" taking the phone out he pressed the walkie talkie button, "Trowa? Can you hear me?"

-#-#-#-

Trowa could feel the man beside him was shaking violently, Trowa was trying to softly reassure the blonde man. "I don't know where Duo went?" Quatre was beside himself with worry, "What if he dead…it was all my fault…" he was close to weeping. Captain Barton patted the man's hand gently, "Not your fault," arm wrapped tightly around the smaller man. Suddenly he felt his leg vibrate, and a muffled voice from the pocket, it couldn't be…" Commander Krushander looked at him sharply. Quickly he grabbed the his pocket, fumbling he pulled the small cell phone out of his pocket.

"Heero?" he whispered green eyes darting about the room the guard stood on the other side of the door not paying any other attention. "Hey Trowa you read me?" a blossom of hope budded in his chest. "Yeah Heero I hear you what the hell is going on?"

"The Rebels put the drop on us they are holding you all hostage for money and the release of POW's. If not the executions begin."

The silence around the room was defining, "Yuy where the hell are you?" it was Commander Krushander. "The tower, they killed everyone up here by Corporal Campbell I'm going to get him to the infirmary. Hopefully."

"Did you get a signal out?"

"I did Sir, they gave me carte blance and told me to unleash hell…."

The room paused, "How did you escape?" there was a snort. "Major Dickweed sent me out to the markers and I escaped the initial drop." As he explained they heard retching and the sounds of someone vomiting from Heero's end. "Ummm, Heero what the hell is that?" they heard muffled voices and what sounded like a sniffle. "Sorry Trowa, Duo is with… he's not used to this." Quatre looked joyous at the news. "I got to go, I'll check in though. Duo is in safe hands."

The line went dead and the few men in the room looked at one another. "Are they going to be ok?" Trowa smiled looking at the cute blonde sitting so close, "If there is one person in this entire camp they should have locked up its Heero Yuy." There was a snort from the Commander, "Even locked up Heero Yuy is a damn dangerous man…"

TBC…