188 AC: 2 Months Later

On Colony V-08744: Maxwell Church and the Surrounding Area

As was her usual routine, Tori was walking up to Maxwell Church to start her day with Duo when one of the front doors slammed open as Duo bolted out. He was streaking towards her, moving faster than she'd ever seen him. Having been startled to a stop, Tori raised her hand in greeting as he drew closer.

"Hey, Du-whoa!"

Tori let out a surprised yelp as Duo tossed her over his shoulder in one fluid movement, never slowing his pace. He raced around the corner, and then took another turn into an abandoned alley.

Finally he came to a halt, moving Tori from being slung over his shoulder to being cradled in his arms as he slid down the wall to the ground, panting.

"What was that all about?" Tori softly asked. Between her head being pressed into the crook of Duo's neck and the grim, faraway expression on his face, she could barely speak above a whisper, nor did she dare for fear of startling him. He was clutching her so tight, as if he could lose her suddenly if he didn't hold on to her for dear life. "Duo? Sweetheart, I love you, but you're crushing me." After wriggling around a bit, Tori finally got his attention.

"Please don't leave me!" He frantically gasped. Now that his face was so close, Tori could clearly see the fear and worry in his cobalt blue eyes.

"I won't, I won't, I just need to be able to breathe."

"Sorry," Duo murmured as he slackened his grip.

"It's alright," she commented while settling herself more comfortably in his lap. "Now then, what's wrong? Why did you grab me and run off?"

"I had to get you away from the church. You can't go there, not anymore."

"And why not?"

"The rebels." Duo sighed after a long pause. "I don't want them to get you too."

"What rebels? What are you talking about? And what do you mean 'too'?"

"A group of Colony Rebels. They've taken over Maxwell Church and won't leave until they have safe passage from our colony. Everyone that has come in to the church has been taken hostage in hopes that the Alliance won't attack."

"What? They can't do that! But, now that I think about it, the streets are so empty today, too empty for a Monday. How many are being held hostage?" Tori asked, afraid of the answer but heeding the feeling that she needed to know.

"More than half of the town, easily two hundred, probably more. I was so scared that you and Grandma Sanders would show up too."

"We were going to come, but Grandma wasn't feeling well, so we both stayed home. I felt so bad since it was the first day that I haven't come to see you in months."

"I couldn't be happier that you didn't show up! That meant you were safe!" Duo exclaimed as he hugged her close.

"Oh, Duo, what are we going to do? We have to get the rebels out of there! So many people will be hurt, or worse, if we don't do something!"

Duo placed a hand on her cheek and kissed her lightly before drawing back to look into her troubled eyes. "Tori…there is no 'we' for this."

"What? But we do everything together! Duo, I can help, you know I c-"

"Shh," he murmured as he placed one finger against her lips. "You're too precious to me; I couldn't live with myself if I let you face such danger."

"You're speaking as if you've already decided what to do," Tori accused, slitting her eyes when he didn't answer right away. "Well?"

"Yes, I have decided."

"And? What are you going to do? Duo, you have to tell me!"

"I…I'm going to steal a mobile suit and give it to the rebels. It will be the safe passage they demand, and with the Alliance closing in, they'll have no choice, they'll have to leave immediately and everyone will be safe!"

"Safe? SAFE? Yeah, everyone'll be safe, everyone but you! The Alliance will kill you the moment they notice! You can't do this!"

"I have to-"

"No! You're precious to me as well and I don't want to lose you!"

"You won-"

"You're crazy!"

"Heh, who ever said I wasn't," Duo said while winking at her.

"Duo, this is not the time for jokes!"

"You're right, I'm sorry, you're just so upset and I love mothering more than to see you smile. Look, I have to do this. I love you, but this is the only way to protect you and everyone else."

"When?"

As soon as the word left her mouth, Duo stood up with Tori still in his arms. After setting her gently on her bare feet, he embraced her, pulling away after a long moment to hold her at arm's length as he answered the timid question:

"Now."

"Now? But, Duo, no, please!"

"Tori, I hate to. I want you to stay here. Don't leave until I come back for you. Stay hidden until then. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I-I understand. P-please, Duo, come back t-to me," she stuttered as tears began to pour down her cheeks.

"I will. My sweet Tori, please don't cry. I want you to wish me luck with that beautiful smile of yours."

"I-I'll try."

"That's my girl. Hey, I want to make you a promise, a vow, before I go."

"What is it?" Tori asked as she wiped her eyes.

"I vow that I will always protect you with everything that I am, because I will love only you beyond forever's end."

"And I vow that I shall gladly give my life for yours should the need arise, for I will love none but you past the sun's last rise."

With that, Duo kissed her once more before walking away. Tori could do nothing but watch wile pressing the ever-present Floppy to her heart, her silent tears falling past a small smile to stain his fur.