Chapter Four: Now or Never
XOXOXO
Duo sat in the backseat of the car, bouncing along with the bumps in the road. He felt so strange doing this. Within the next hour during this trip to the shuttle pad, his life could possibly end. Yes, the circumstance of 'life in danger' wasn't exactly new for him but now things were different and he didn't have the 'come what may' attitude from the old days. He might never see his wife again or be able to witness the birth of their child he had been looking forward to for all seven months of her pregnancy. But he also knew that if it were her in the seat he was presently occupying, that would be worse than death. So he swallowed hard and forced a typical Duo grin across his lips. If they tried to harm him, he would go out in a blaze of glory and it would be just like when he was a hero in the war. Sure, these guys might not move to kill him right away but it was always an ultimate possibility. First he felt for the large firearm concealed beneath his heavy black rain coat, and then he scratched at the injection site on his lower back.
"Duo, you realize we can't really send Hilde to that launch site." Heero said in the darkness of his room, illuminated only by the flickering off-white glow of his computer screen.
"Yeah, I figured as much. I mean, I'm not as stupid as I look."
Heero cocked an eyebrow at this. Sally took that opportunity to butt in.
"I've spoken to Lady Une from this room because I fear that Heero is the only one with a safe location in this house. There could be bugs everywhere if the enemy is indeed somewhere here around the manor, which is exactly why we can't send Hilde. They'll probably be expecting her. Best case scenario, there won't be any trouble at all, but worst case… she could end up kidnapped with her life in danger."
"I won't put her in that situation, Sally."
"I know. And no one wants that either. We realize that she is safer here at the house with the pilots and such."
"So you were anticipating this before she even suggested sending Hilde home?" Duo asked, wide-eyed.
"We need to lure these people out. If we send out bait, they'll be hungry for it because they ultimately want Relena. They want to harm her or worse...," Heero said, but did not finish.
"Duo, you have to go in Hilde's place. We are suspicious they're watching this house very closely," Sally took over.
"What if they take me? How will you guys find me?"
"I want to inject this into your bloodstream," Sally said, holding up a tiny chip.
"Won't they be able to see that in an X-ray or something?"
"No chance. It's a plastic homing chip. No test will reveal it and we will be able to see your exact location from Heero's computer."
"Heh! Why didn't we put one of those in Heero six years ago?!" Duo laughed.
Heero just narrowed his stare viciously.
"But seriously, how will we get that out of me when you come and get me?"
"Um… well, Duo, we won't be able to. It will be in you permanently."
"Great. Now Hilde will always know where I am." Duo rolled his eyes.
"This is no time for your joking. We have to hurry." Heero scorned.
"I see you're still as fun as ever."
"Hn."
"Duo… maybe you should go and talk to Hilde. But do it in a secure location." Sally told him, tenderly.
"No. I don't want to worry her any more than I already have. Just stick that thing in me and let's get this show on the road. Plus, if she stops packing and they realize she's in the house they'll know it's a trap we're laying for them."
"That's why we're going to take her to Quatre's underground panic room. She will continue to pack for her trip and Quatre will escort her to the garage entrance. No body will be getting in there. And when the time is right, we'll move Relena there as well."
"One question, Sal."
"What, Duo?"
"How do you know for sure that Heero has the only safe location?"
"Because I scoured this room to perfection and have set up an airtight secure line for incoming and outgoing communication. I'm a hacker for a reason." Heero sneered.
"Works for me. Ok, let's do this."
So now he was just waiting for them to make their move. Hilde was hopefully safe in that panic room by now and Relena was probably beginning to untangle this knotted up mess they had laid in front of her. He stared out the window, watching the heavy rainfall and waiting. Which, in fact, had never been an easy task for the ex-God of Death.
XOXOXO
Heero watched his monitor with expert eyes, all the while letting his mind concentrate on other things. Trowa would be in to begin helping him any minute now. The added help would be good as he would be able to do a more effective job, but he was sure the awkwardness between them would be almost distracting. He and Trowa had gotten along well enough in the past, but it would be the first time in six years they were in the same room together and that was sure to present some degree of uncertainty. He had interacted on this trip with all of the pilots except for the very silent, thoughtful 04. Heero wondered for a second if Trowa still saw much of his circus performing sister. He knew that the ex-pilot had a strong bond with the woman but also had been one of Relena's bodyguards since the attempted assassination which would have put an intense strain on their closeness. Both Trowa and Wufei had done, overall, an ok job of protecting her. Nothing like he could have done of course, but fair enough that he felt no need to step in. She wouldn't want to see him anyway.
"I can't discuss what I'm working on. I also figure that none of you are bursting at the seams to see me."
"I know one person that is… But I think you blew that one already."
Maybe she did want to see him. But first he had to protect her and get her out of this spot she was in. Her safety would always come first. Not like her actual presence was really needed much at all in the political arena anymore. Everyone, including the president of the earth sphere alliance, had agreed with her views on total neutrality. Alright, not everyone. Hence the retaliation groups that reared up every so often and the occasional adamant politician who swore up and down that Peace was nothing more than an illusion or something like that. So maybe there was still a need for her to be a politician after all. It wasn't that he wanted her assassinated. But he knew that she was tired. He had watched her many a night fall asleep just after eating dinner or not even eating dinner at all just to get another hour in. Truth be told, he was worried about her. And maybe stepping down from her position would strengthen her physically. However, that wouldn't be the Relena he knew so well. She was nothing without that surge her job gave her. Her heart longed to keep peace established for earth and space, and so she would keep doing it as long as she thought she was needed even if she was tired. Heero found himself questioning if she thought of him often before he let her name fall into the dark room.
"Relena," he whispered hoarsely.
"Heero. It's been a while," Trowa's low monotone voice stated cautiously from the door. He had successfully and silently picked Heero's lock.
"I would have let you in if you knocked," Heero scorned, getting up to fix his door.
Trowa didn't move for a few seconds as Heero stood. He almost doubted his own vision when he saw Heero Yuy staring back at him. His eyes hadn't changed at all. They were still shrouded in mystery and still managed to give him a threatening aura. In fact, Trowa noticed, not much at all had actually changed in Yuy's appearance. He was tall, thin and had an unruly mop of messy dark brown hair just like he always had.
"You gonna stare at me all night or are we actually going to get some work done?" Heero cocked his eyebrow sarcastically before brushing past him to inspect the tampered doorknob and lock.
"I suppose it would be better to take a picture. No telling how long you'll actually be here this time to stare at."
Heero pretended not to hear the comment and pointed at the screen behind him as he continued to examine.
"You watch that. If anything suspicious comes up, let me know. I have to sort through all these phone archives and I need full concentration to do so. Got it?"
"It's not rocket science. I think I can handle it."
Trowa sat down and grabbed a clipboard full of blank paper that had been previously unused and a pen.
"I can only stay for a little while, Heero. Wufei will have to sit in for me when seven o'clock rolls around. That's when I start my shift with Relena and I don't want her to think anything is up."
"Understood," Heero responded nonchalantly, never looking up from his current task. When he determined that nothing was broken and the lock still worked, he moved back to his other business.
Trowa wondered to himself while watching the monitors if Heero might have actually seen him with Relena already. If that were the case, which he was already beginning to seriously doubt, the ex-comrade would probably be a tiny bit more hostile then usual. So, wiping that idea from the slate, he focused all of his attention to the ever changing camera angles. Making notes on what was where and such just to be all encompassing. Every single detail was important now. He found himself hoping they would get to the bad guys first this time. Usually, or at least lately, it was the other way around. He heard Heero as his fingers shuffled through the mounds of phone lists. Unlike the pilot seated behind him who had access to all those deeper levels of Preventers, Trowa had a limited understanding of what went on in headquarters. Which was fine with him because then he didn't have any added stress or sense of responsibility. His only concern was Relena's safety and well-being. It had been that way for some time now. Before then, he was under Lucrezia's department in infiltration. He would go undercover to investigate possible threatening groups. That was the deepest he'd gone in Preventers. Maybe if Duo had stayed on as Relena's bodyguard he would have been moved further into the depths of the system as well. His new position, though, was much better than he could have wanted. He made a friend in her and even a new relationship was formed. Every time the image from her bedroom popped up, it only stayed for a few seconds but he took special note of every single thing in her room. Just making sure she was still safe and sound, sleeping peacefully beneath the sheets of her bed.
In his mind, he was already making plans for their night together. He wanted to do something special and memorable. Something romantic for just the two of them and, for Quatre's sake and maybe Relena's too, he would allow it to be public enough for Heero to see on the monitors. Then they would all see if Heero would really take the steps to get Relena back. Trowa's heart was nearly breaking in his chest at the thought of having to let go of Relena after just now getting her to himself. It had been a good thing between them. He had helped make her smile and she made him smile too. If they were destined to be nothing more than good friends in the end, so be it. Trowa might have been in love with Relena, but he was no fool. He realized that she and Heero Yuy's fates were, more than likely, meant to stay overlapped for the rest of their days and he could accept that. Letting her go in the end would be the price of his love. He took a deep breath and then stole one final glance back over his shoulder at his rival for Relena's heart. The other man was buried in his thoughts and paperwork, but feeling Trowa's stare, his eyes came up to meet the gaze.
"What are you looking at?" Heero asked, suspiciously.
"Nothing. It really has been a long time, Heero. That's all," Trowa lied, turning his attention back to the screen.
"Hn." Heero's eyes narrowed. Something was up with Barton.
He could feel Heero continue to stare at him for another moment before he was sure the dark eyes of his ex-comrade had shifted. He let out a silent breath and continued to watch the screens. So far, nothing suspicious had occurred. So far.
XOXOXO
Wufei sat in the company of Sally Po for the second time this vacation. They found themselves this time in a darkened room near Relena's instead of the library. They did not dare speak of anything having to do with terrorists and therefore it felt like they were on a secret mission. Plus, Sally realized that Wufei had no clue yet that Duo had been sent in place of his wife. Illumination came in sporadic bursts from the bolts of lightning flashing in the clouds outside.
"Do you think he will say it?" Sally pondered, sticking to safe subjects like Heero and Relena's personal soap opera.
"How should I know," Wufei sighed, "I have no idea what the man is thinking anymore. Not that I had much of a clue before he disappeared."
"Yes, but if presented with evidence of Trowa and Relena's relationship I think that will definitely push him to giving a response."
"You're probably right."
"Up for a game of chess? Or are you still sore from the last loss to me?" She smiled.
He smirked before taking his seat behind the marble chess set and she flicked a lamp on behind them so they could actually see the game pieces before them.
"I'll have to beat you quickly. I go on duty in an hour."
"Wufei you know I beat you every time."
Their one game lasted through the entire hour and when their time was up, Wufei stood to leave. He hated to leave her company since she did not demand conversation on his part most of the time.
"Don't worry. You'll win one of these days." Sally laughed at him.
He didn't reply to her comment and was about to make his exit when she spoke again, but this time her voice sounded much different. It had lost its usual confidence.
"Um, Wufei, might I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" He turned to her.
"Would you ever leave? You know… and not tell anyone?" She asked, trying to avoid eye contact.
"I wouldn't do that."
"Good."
He knew that question was loaded, and likewise, she knew that his answer was equally loaded. She hoped he could tell that she did indeed worry about him and care about him. As he left, Sally turned off the light behind her and sat in the peaceful darkness of the room, wordlessly observing the storm brewing outside of her window and praying for Duo's safety. They had put him in a hard situation, but he took it on like the brave soldier he had once been. These men in her life were so heroic and willing to do anything to preserve peace that it nearly brought tears to her eyes sometimes. She had been by herself most of this vacation and now she felt a little lonely with Wufei's sudden departure so she went to find Lucrezia and see what she and Milliardo were up to.
Since she had been working at Preventers and she and Lucrezia were both higher levels, the two had bonded and become friends.
XOXOXO
"You're going to put holes in the carpet," Lucrezia mentioned to Milliardo who had not stopped pacing since he received the news of both the terrorists and Yuy's presence. She was stretched out on the couch, feeling lethargic.
"I can't believe he was snooping around here the whole time and I wasn't even informed." He sulked, ignoring Lucrezia's warning for the carpet. Evidently, Heero was the bigger issue for Milliardo than the terrorists and the fact that Relena's life was in danger.
"Une and Heero kept it to themselves until there was more information available, obviously. There's nothing we can do now except offer him our assistance." She watched as her husbands eyes narrowed greatly in disgust.
"Why do you hate him so?" She found herself asking.
"I have never trusted him. The death in that boys eyes when first we met so many years ago. I could almost smell the blood of all his victims whenever I was even in close proximity. And then he supposedly atones for his sins against the world and mankind by helping Relena end the war. Then he ends up breaking her heart."
"Like you had never done that? By, I don't know, disappearing just like he did, staying out of contact, and not even acting like her sibling during the tail end of the war when she needed you most?"
"I am not Heero Yuy."
"Are you not? You are not innocent of never taking a life, Milliardo. You are not innocent of abandoning Relena and you were at one time the most hailed mobile suite pilot around, just as he was the most skilled Gundam pilot the world had ever seen. Plus, you both love her. Even through all that. You both still love her."
"How can you be so sure Yuy loves Relena still?"
"A woman knows these things."
He didn't have time to respond when a soft tap at the door was heard.
"Come in," Lucrezia beckoned.
Sally let herself in.
"Hello, Sally. You ok today?" Lucrezia noticed the somber look on her friend's face.
"I'm fine. Just worried about Hilde," she said, adding dramatic effect just in case someone was listening in.
"What about Hilde?"
"We sent her home a little earlier and I am just thinking it might not have been the safest thing to do."
She was now convinced her acting could win an award.
"Are you and Une out of your minds? There are terrorists after Relena out here after all and you sent a pregnant woman, not to mention one of Relena's closest friends, out without any protection from them?"
"We sent an escort."
"Pfft! An escort might take a bullet but what if they hold her hostage?"
"She'll be fine, Milliardo. We don't have any evidence that they would know she's on her way to the shuttle site. She'll be ok."
The air had become tense. Sally wanted to tell them the truth, but it could jeopardize everything. It was better if they believed the lie she had laid before them so easily.
"Lucrezia, would you like to join me downstairs for a drink?" Sally offered after a few seconds.
"Sure."
"Bring me one when you come back. And make it a strong one." Milliardo mentioned, retreating to the bathroom. The two women smiled weakly at each other and made their way downstairs.
XOXOXO
She sat nervously tapping her fingers. This was terrible. Now it was her husband's life that truly was in danger and all she could do was be stuck in Quatre's panic room of sorts and wait for news. There was enough food and furniture down there to keep her comfortable and Quatre had promised to come and check on her after a bit when he knew he wouldn't be missed, but that was almost an hour ago. Duo would practically be at the launch site by now, if he had made it at all. Hilde felt like she could cry. She rubbed her hands nervously over her swollen stomach and began to talk out loud to her unborn child.
"Your daddy is a brave man, you know. He might end up in trouble this go around, but don't worry. No, we mustn't worry because he can get out of it just fine and then he'll come back to both of us. He was a hero back in the war, you know. He, Uncle Quatre, Uncle Trowa, Uncle Wufei and Uncle Heero were all pilots of impressive battle suits called Gundams. That's how we met. I tried to help him because he was so sincere and there weren't many like him back then."
She continued the story to calm herself down and take her mind off what might be happening to Duo at that moment.
"Hilde? Are you ok?" Dorothy ventured, coming down into the safe room.
"Yes I'm fine."
"I heard you talking, are you sure you're ok?"
"I was just trying to calm myself down by talking to the baby."
"I see."
"Has anyone heard from Duo yet?"
"No not yet. Sally is tracking him though thru Heero's computer system. Not everyone knows that it wasn't you to actually leave so we're all trying to downplay it until we hear something."
Hilde lowered herself uneasily into a recliner, letting out a grunt as she plopped down. It was as difficult to sit down as it was to get up.
"I'm just worried."
"Understandable. Duo is a good man and a commendable fighter though. I'm sure he'll come out of this laughing."
"I certainly hope so. If I never saw that stupid grin of his again… I don't know what I would do, honestly."
"Don't talk like that. Hilde, we won't let anything happen to Duo."
"You're being awfully nice. I don't think I'm used to this yet."
"Me neither."
They both laughed and when the laughter died down Dorothy put her hand over Hilde's.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'll sit with you for a while. Would you like some tea?"
"That would be great."
XOXOXO
Relena was still lying in her bed mostly hidden under the sheets with her eyes closed, but she was awake. With her eyes closed, blocking out any outside visuals, she could concentrate more closely on the sounds of the room and the storm. She took a few long, deep breaths and tried to stop a tear from escaping the corner of her eye. Even though Trowa was there for her and would more than likely do anything for her, she still wanted Heero so bad she could almost feel him wrap those strong arms of his around her one more time… protecting her from all the bad in the world. Especially now that she had figured out that something was going on. As much as she wanted to speak his name, she couldn't. She wouldn't. But it didn't stop her from saying it in her head.
"Oh Heero… why do you haunt me so? What did I do to deserve this cruel fate bestowed on me by you? Why did I ever have to fall so hard in the first place?"
"Relena, you're awake, aren't you?"
It wasn't really a question as it was more like a statement.
"Yes."
"Then why haven't you opened your eyes?"
"I'm listening to the rain, Trowa. Close your eyes for a moment and listen. It's very soothing."
Thunder and lightning cracked in the distance, probably taking down one of the many trees surrounding Quatre's home, and the lights flickered for just the slightest millisecond. He closed his eyes and listened to the unsteady rhythm of the rain on the window pane and the slow, steady roll of thunder in the background. It was relaxing. As he opened his eyes, he found hers open too.
"I'm glad you're here," she sighed.
"Something on your mind?"
"No… It just hasn't been the best day for me."
He sat unobtrusively at the foot of her bed, surveying her casually. She stretched and his heart rate picked up in pace faintly. He had always been attracted to Relena. Her small form, smooth skin and silky hair had never failed to intrigue him. How he had sometimes longed to claim her for himself. Now was one of those times. That would get him a one way ticket to the hospital though, with Heero watching. Somehow, that almost made it more dangerous and worth it. He almost laughed at himself and his thoughts.
"What are you thinking about, Trowa?"
"Nothing. Listen, I have plans for us tonight."
"Oh?" She smiled, "What kind of plans?"
Suddenly Relena realized how long it had been since she was last in the intimate company of a man. But she knew that as much as she might fantasize about being with another man, if she went through with it she would hate herself. Heero had been her first because she loved him and she thought he loved her too. On the other hand, was she really supposed to live the rest of her days like a nun; in complete chastity because Heero wasn't there? What if she and Trowa eventually got more physical? Relena nearly shook her head outright. That bridge would be crossed when they came to it. Until then, she would just have to put her physical needs aside.
Trowa smiled at first, remembering his most recent conversation with Quatre.
"I want to do something special for her."
"Where Heero can see, right?"
"Of course. But I also want it to be for us too. Not just a show for Heero."
"Ok, what do you want to do?"
"Have your staff prepare the ballroom for us. I want it to look fantastic. I know they only have a little over an hour, but I'm sure they can do something. And let the chef know we'll need a nice dinner. Just for the two of us."
"I'm sure they can pull it off just fine. Thanks, Trowa. I know that you realize what this could mean in the long run."
"I do. I just want her to be happy. And if that's with Heero, then so be it."
"Don't worry. Tonight will be great. I'll go inform the staff."
"Thank you, Quatre."
"I have arranged a surprise for you. Meet me in the ballroom at eight. That gives you an hour to get ready. Dress nicely."
"I'll be there."
He stood up from the end of her bed, came closer, kissed her hand then left the room.
A surprise? How romantic. But she hadn't brought any of her fancy dresses. Well, her pretty white sundress would have to do then. It was not evening wear or even a cocktail dress, but it was all she had, so it would have to do.
Relena got up out of bed and went to the closet to change and get herself freshened up again. She was suddenly glad she had pampered herself earlier in the day.
XOXOXO
An hour later at eight o'clock almost on the dot, Relena entered the ballroom. She took in a quick breath. All of the miniature potted trees lining the massive floor to ceiling windows were covered in small twinkling white lights; the main lights were turned down low, a table sat off to the side decorated in a massive fresh floral arrangement and tall dripping candles. There were two serving trays, covered with silver lids also sitting on each side of the table and a bottle of champagne sat chilling in a silver bucket next to the table. The sounds of a soft, muted trumpet and piano floated through the air. It was beautiful; magical almost.
"Looks nice, huh?" Trowa asked, coming up behind her. He was always so stealth and quiet, she never heard him enter the room. He came around in front of her and she was nicely surprised. He was wearing a very nice pair of black slacks and a buttoned long-sleeve blue shirt.
"Trowa it's so wonderful. Did you do all this for me?"
"I did. Now let's sit down and eat before the food gets cold."
She locked her hand into the crook of his arm and he escorted her to their table. They dined on delicately prepared seafood and an array of mixed steamed vegetables marinated in mouthwatering seasoning and finished their meal with a glass or two of champagne. Dinner conversation started out on subjects like the threat and her underlying fear that maybe this would be the group that actually finished her off. Then eventually they moved onto topics such as her garden and Catherine. When they were done eating and drinking Relena thanked him again.
"I still can't believe you arranged all this for me. The food was delightful."
"Yes, the cook really outdid himself. I wanted us to have this evening. I wanted it to be special for you."
"Just in case there aren't any more…," He thought to himself, sadly.
"Let's dance. This is a beautiful song," she said, pursing her thick pink lips into a smile. He came to her side of the table and offered his hand. She accepted it and he led them to the dance floor where a slow waltz began. She rested her head on his chest as he wrapped his arm tightly around her small waist and lowered his head to rest atop hers. He took in quiet long breaths to become nearly intoxicated by the sent of her soft hair.
The song was instrumental, but Relena knew the words and she softly sang along to the tune as they rocked back and forth in their dance. A tear was quickly forming in the corner of her eye. Trowa heard her singing with the music but did not realize the real significance of it.
"Someday when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you… and the way you look tonight," her voice nearly cracked as she sang the lyrics to the old melody she had fallen in love with many years ago.
It was an old song from before her time, but still she found great comfort in its words and meaning. She had sung it to Heero on many occasions.
She didn't quite know if it was the champagne taking its effect or the mood of the evening in general, but she lifted her head to stare into Trowa's beautiful green eyes and slowly, she closed the distance between their lips. She took her time and pleasure in their first kiss.
He was nearly overcome with joy and pain at the same time. Trowa struggled to remember every painstaking detail of the way her lips felt, of how it was just to embrace her tightly. And as he put his hand on her face to caress her cheek, his thumb felt the wet path of what had been her tear. Why did she cry? Was it too much for her? Did she feel sorry for him? All of his thinking was now ruining what should have been the greatest moment of his life.
Meanwhile, in a room far from where those two danced, Heero felt like his life was ending and also wanted to make Trowa experience the same feeling.
XOXOXO
Eight o'clock: Heero's room
Wufei had arrived nearly an hour ago to take over for Trowa and so far, both he and Heero had yet to venture a word to each other. The only formality had been a silent nod on both their parts for a greeting. Wufei volunteered, knowingly, to watch the surveillance cameras while Heero continued to deal with his mind numbing lists of phone numbers from Central Headquarters. This calm attitude between the two was much better than the strained one from the previous day in the billiards room.
"When you go to assist Heero, you have to take the surveillance cameras."
"Why?" Wufei asked.
Quatre had confronted him in the hallway before going to tell the staff of Trowa's plans for an evening with Relena.
"Because, you will have to point out to Heero what's going to be happening at eight o'clock in the ballroom."
"What is happening?"
"Trowa has asked me to arrange for him and Relena to have a romantic evening together there. Heero must see it."
"Are you crazy? Yuy will rip Barton to shreds."
"No he won't. Well he might, but he'll also be pushed into telling us how he feels about Relena. He'll have to step in or risk losing her forever."
"What if he doesn't step in?"
"If that happens, then Relena still gets a good man and a wonderful evening."
"Understood."
Now he was watching and waiting. And, at eight o'clock on the mark, Relena made her entrance. Wufei watched in hushed satisfaction as the petite woman took in her surroundings, which he had to give the staff credit for because they were quite stunning. Now… how to draw Yuy's attention to the constantly changing screen? Especially since neither had spoken at all in almost an hour.
"Hm. Looks nice." Wufei said quietly, like he was speaking only to himself.
He listened intently as Heero lifted his head. His curiosity was successfully peaked now.
"What looks nice?"
Bingo.
"Nothing. Barton has outdone himself tonight, though. Ms. Peacecraft will surely be pleased," he mentioned, reeling 01 in for the kill.
"What are you talking about?"
"Come see for yourself, Yuy. I don't want to have to explain everything to you."
He switched the top left picture to stay on camera 74 so that Heero could watch the little scenario in the ballroom unfold for himself.
Heero stood up after thinking it over for a few short seconds and approached the video feed screen with caution. After watching in unobservable horror for a few minutes he instructed Wufei to turn the audio feed on.
"Are you sure?"
"Do it, damn it."
Wufei nearly laughed out loud. Yuy was surely racked with jealousy by this point, even though the couple was merely sitting at the table enjoying their fine meal and chatting innocently. It wasn't until the meal was over and their dance began that Wufei noticed an outward change in Heero. When Relena rested her head so easily on Trowa's chest and he held her so affectionately, Wufei stole a glance at Yuy to find him significantly more pale than usual.
"What is the meaning of all this?"
"I assumed you would have figured it out by now, Yuy. But since you haven't, Ms. Peacecraft and Barton have recently announced their dating status."
Wufei could practically hear Heero's heart hit the floor.
"I see," he managed, rage creeping gradually into his voice. How could she? How could Barton? He was on the verge of going back to what he had been doing and make an attempt to put all of this new information out of his mind, when he heard it. It was so quiet he wasn't sure at first if it was really there, but it was. She was singing to him. To Barton. Relena was singing what he had considered their song to Trowa Barton. If his heart hadn't been broken before, it was now. He could remember each and every time she had sang that to him. He knew every word, every note and he thought it had been special for them. He happened to miss, however, her tear that so tenderly managed its way down her cheek as she sang.
Then he felt himself snap. She kissed him. She actually kissed another man. Singing the song was one thing, but this… was intolerable. Heero would not loose. He would not relinquish her to anyone. It was do or die.
"How long has this been going on between them?" He asked of the eerily quiet Chinese man seated next to him.
"This is their second day together officially. But he has loved her for years."
"Then why are they just now together?"
"Because, you dense undeserving idiot, she still loves you. She just now is accepting someone else as you have been gone for so long. I suppose she figures you never felt the same way about her in the first place."
She couldn't still love him and be kissing Trowa. Unless, of course, it was true about her giving up on him and thinking that he didn't feel the same way about her.
"Excuse me. I'll be back soon," Heero said, blowing out of the room.
He would not be put usurped. He wanted to try with Relena from the very beginning of this get-away and now he was Hell bent on doing exactly that. Truth be told, he had always loved her, ever since they were young. But there was no way he could make himself say it before. It was time. Before she sat him aside forever and he lost her love for good.
XOXOXO
Wufei was sitting in satisfactory silence when an incoming transmission popped up on Heero's computer.
"Wu-man? Is that you?"
"Maxwell! Where are you?" Wufei asked, not even realizing Duo had left the mansion.
"You tell me… I'm the one with the homing chip in my ass," Duo mocked, a sideways grin on his battered face.
Wufei tried to get a clearer picture, but it was jumpy and full of static from the other ex-pilot's end. He could make out that Duo was in a dark room somewhere and look like Hell.
"What happened to you?"
"They jumped me, just like Sally and Heero said they probably would. I'm just so glad it was me instead of Hilde."
It was becoming clear to him what had happened.
"I meant what happened to your face?"
"Ugh. They beat me up pretty good, huh? I guess they were pretty pissed it was me instead of Hilde when I started opening fire on their asses. Tell Quatre that his driver is dead. I tried to save him, but they came on us too fast and their bullets hit the engine. It exploded. Lots of them are probably surrounding the mansion as we speak. Keep Relena safe, Wufei."
"We'll come and get you as soon as Yuy deciphers your current location."
"I'll be fine. As soon as you guys get here, we'll take care of these rebels. I doubt the head honcho is here though."
"Don't worry about that. Stay alive. We'll be there soon. Did you get a good look at anyone?"
"No… sorry there were too many of them. They knocked unconscious after a pretty good fight out by the road and when I came to I was alone here in this room. Tell Hilde that I love her… you know, just in case."
"Don't talk like that."
"Just do it, Wu-man. I don't have any more battery on this pocket phone… this will be my only transmission. In fact I think its pretty much-"
The screen went black. Wufei tried desperately to re-establish a connection, but it was in vain. His long-haired associate was on his own now until they could reach him.
It was time to start acting. They had sat in waiting as long as they could. He quickly got up to find the others when the lights flashed brightly followed by complete darkness.
"Shit."
XOXOXO
"Well, looks like the storm finally knocked out the power," Dorothy sighed, lighting the oil lamp next to her. She and Quatre had been sitting in the master bedroom reading.
"We should find the others. With the situation going on at the moment, we all need to be together."
"What about Hilde?"
"She's the only one we don't need to worry about. The generator keeps those rooms up, running and safe at all times. In fact, we all need to go down there. Especially Relena."
"That means that she'll be in the same room with Trowa and Heero!"
"I know. But it's the only way. Let's go find everyone. Grab the lamp."
They walked slowly through the halls, calling names as they went. Wufei quickly found and joined them, followed shortly by Milliardo who informed the party that Sally and Lucrezia were downstairs. Quatre interjected that Trowa and Relena were also downstairs in the ballroom. Wufei wasn't much help when he offered no assistance on Heero's location.
"He just left a few minutes ago. Didn't inform me of where he was going."
XOXOXO
"I knew this was going to happen," Relena sighed. Her eyes were slow to adjust to the new shroud of darkness.
"Don't worry. At least there's a little bit of light in here." Trowa pointed to the candles on the table. They made their way back to the table once more. He pulled his chair close to Relena's and placed his hand on her knee reassuringly. She covered it with her own.
"Get your hands off of her." The voice practically snarled from the deep shadows of the room.
Relena shot up in surprise, knocking her chair over backwards in the process. That voice. It couldn't really be.
"She's with me now, Heero. You'll have to get over it," Trowa threatened. If he couldn't get a confession out of Yuy by provoking him this way, at least he would be standing up for his relationship.
"You can't be serious. Now I'm going to teach you what happens when you touch Relena."
Heero moved from the shadows so rapidly, Trowa barely had time to stand up. Relena instinctively ducked off to the side as the two forces collided and their hands locked. Heero grit his teeth and was not thinking as rationally as he should have been in a fight. His emotions were getting the best of him, impairing his ability to be the cold, lethal machine he normally was.
Heero's anger and jealousy had progressively built up as he made his way downstairs from his room. By the time he reached the ballroom, he was ready to inflict some serious damage onto Trowa.
"Heero! Trowa! Stop this madness!" Relena shouted.
"How could you Relena…?" Heero managed, through his gritted teeth; the hurt in his voice slapping her in the face.
"How could I?! You're kidding, right? You're the one that left ME for six years! I didn't know where you were or even if you were still alive!"
"I never left. I just let you think I had. I was always with you."
"Liar!" Relena cried out in pain. Hot tears had begun to stream down her face in hurt and anger. And even though she wanted to hit him as hard as she could, she also wanted to hold him.
When she called him a liar, Heero's grip slipped just enough for Trowa to gain the upper hand and the fight truly began with his fist crashing into 01's face. Relena begged them to stop, but they just kept on. Heero landed several upper jabs to Trowa's abdomen and Trowa got in a few good hits to Heero's jaw. They fought and wrestled each other until Heero grabbed Trowa's upper arms and threw him into the table. As it toppled over and both it and Trowa hit the ground, the candles also fell to the floor; their flames were quickly extinguished leaving the three occupants in total darkness. The flashing lightning was the only source of light. Trowa jumped up off the floor like the acrobat he was and soon was pacing around Yuy, egging him on.
This new darkness did not cause the two ex-pilots to stop their fight. It only made it difficult to see and land solid hits on each other.
"Why are you doing this Heero?" Trowa asked. His voice was calm and controlled as he paced and prepared himself for another assault.
"You know why!"
"No I don't. You left without telling anyone, not even Relena, and now you've stepped out of the blue acting hurt at our relationship. There has to be a reason! Tell me."
Heero got so worked up at all this he temporarily forgot Relena was in the room. All he could see was red and the outline of Trowa in the dimly lit room.
"I'm doing this because I love her and you have no right to be with her! You know how I feel and yet you still made a move on her. You all know how I feel!"
"How could we know, Heero? You never told us and you certainly never told her!"
Trowa scored another good connection with Heero's ribcage.
"I didn't know how to tell her back then!" Heero replied, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"You have to prove to me that you love her and just screaming it now in the middle of a fight doesn't prove a thing!"
This time it was Heero who lurched forward and connected his fist across Trowa's jaw. Trowa came back instantaneously with a punch that sent Heero tumbling backwards onto the floor. Relena let out a small yelp at seeing Heero hit the ground so hard.
"Why should I have to prove it to you?" he sneered.
"Alright then, don't prove it to me. Prove it to her."
Heero looked over at Relena and could vaguely make out through the darkness that she was crying. He had been such a fool. He lowered his head in disgust over himself. Once again he had made an ass of himself and made Relena sad.
"Relena…," he let out softly. She let out a tiny sob and was about to speak when they heard the others approaching.
"Relena!!" Lucrezia shouted from the corridor.
"I'm in here!" Relena called out in response, hurriedly wiping the tears from her face.
The crowd made their way into the ballroom and Relena walked to the glowing light of the oil lamp.
"Where is Trowa?" Quatre asked.
She merely pointed to the darkness behind her.
They shined the light in the direction of Relena's finger to reveal a bruised and bleeding Trowa Barton standing unsteadily in close proximity to the knocked over table; and much to their astonishment, an equally (if not more so) bruised and bleeding Heero Yuy sitting on the floor near by. He picked up his head to glance at the new light source, and then let it hang loosely between his shoulder blades once more.
"Oh dear God," Lucrezia sighed.
Milliardo shoved past his wife to see what was going on more clearly.
"What is the meaning of all this. Preventer Barton, Preventer Yuy you're both a mess. I demand an explanation this instant," he barked.
Heero continued to hang his head and Trowa was still fighting for his balance. Neither dared speak a word. The clicking of Relena's heels on the hardwood floor coming closer made Heero stiffen. As she bent down close to him he fought himself not to touch her. He didn't know if he could handle it.
"Let's get you and Trowa cleaned up," she extended her hand to him. His breathing stopped at the mention of the other man's name.
"Come on, Heero. Please."
He finally took her hand and she aided him as he stood. As soon as he was up again his hand went ridged against his side, knuckles turning white as he clenched his first. Trowa watched and could only shake his head.
Lucrezia placed a firm hand on Milliardo's chest, keeping him back and stopping further interrogations for the time being.
"Let's go on down to the safe room… its got a backup generator. We can recoup there." Quatre said.
"Where is Duo? We haven't found him yet," Lucrezia mentioned.
"We'll go downstairs and everything will be explained." Sally reassured everyone.
The members of the group who did not realize that Duo was not in the mansion at all were few, but the time had come to put everything out in the open. And that included filling Relena in on a small number of details.
XOXOXO
They descended into the panic room and Dorothy immediately went to warm up a pot of water to wash the two injured men's wounds with.
"Hilde?! What are you doing here?" Relena expressed what a few of the others were thinking in her exclamation.
"We sent Duo in Hilde's place," Sally explained, "You see, she's safer here and we could lay a trap for the enemy."
"Ah yes, will someone please fill me in on that? I think we're far enough alone in this fiasco that I get a fair explanation." Relena said sternly.
"Relena, there is a group of rebel terrorists after you. That is the main reason Preventer Yuy is here and the actual reason Une agreed to let you come out here," Wufei laid out for her, "also, I have received a transmission from Maxwell. He has been taken by the group and is being held somewhere I did not recognize. He mentioned a homing chip?"
"Yes. I injected him with a chip that should tell us his exact location. Is that Heero's computer?" Sally asked, finally noticing all of the things in Wufei's hands.
"It is. I brought down anything I thought would be important. All of the phone lists are here as well."
"Good thinking, Preventer Chang." Milliardo commended.
Sally took the load from Wufei and went to set it up in the next room. All the while, Relena had been staring in Heero's direction. He was only here because of orders. And he was still in Preventers. She had to talk to him.
"Dorothy, do you have a first aid kit around here? Hilde and I need to get Heero and Trowa cleaned up from their little scuffle."
"Yes. And the water is almost ready."
"Thank you. Hilde, will you tend to Trowa? Clean him up and check for broken bones. I need to speak to Heero."
Milliardo could feel himself about to object, but once again, Lucrezia placed a firm hand on him reminding him to calm down.
There were three rooms to the 'panic room;' two bedrooms and one common room. The common room was currently the only occupied room. Relena walked behind Heero into one of the quiet, unused bedrooms and flicked on the light as they entered.
"Take off your shirt, Heero. Let me see what he did to you."
He complied obediently. Dorothy soon brought her a warm washcloth and parts of the first aid kit. Relena thanked her.
She sat in front of him and examined his cuts and bruises. Her hands moved over his chest, feeling the depth of the cuts and checking for broken bones. He all the while kept silent and perfectly motionless, keeping his eyes lowered.
"He sure did do a number on you… Why didn't you tell me you were still in Preventers, Heero?"
"I thought it was best you all thought I was just gone again."
"Best for you maybe. I thought you were dead. And I know that everyone else missed you as well."
"I'm sorry."
She took the washcloth and worked it tenderly over his chest first, cleaning off the blood. She dared not look him in the eye either. As her hand went back to his face with the washcloth, he took a hold of her wrist, keeping her hand in place. He raised his eyes to stare at her face. She never even flinched. It was now his turn to ask questions.
"Why did you start dating him?"
"When I found out he had feelings for me I decided maybe I should give him a chance. I figured you were done with me and wouldn't be coming back."
"Do you love him?"
"Trowa and I both know in our hearts that I will never love anyone else like I love you, Heero."
Tears were coming to her eyes and she avoided his stare. Heero pulled her wrist, bringing her close to his face. She had an odd flashback of before Heero left to battle her brother for the last time and he had pulled her so close. She smiled at him warmly and his features softened.
"I don't want to see you with anyone else."
"Heero, why are you here?"
"Une ordered me out here. But that's not the only reason… I needed to see you. And then I saw you with Barton and realized how much I needed to tell you something. How I feel."
She swallowed hard, their nearness making her blush slightly.
"And how is that?" She questioned, her voice was shaky.
"Nobody can protect you like I can, and more importantly, nobody will ever love you as much as I do. As much as… I always have."
"Do you mean that, Heero? This isn't just a false confession so that I will leave Trowa and forsake any chance at happiness with him?"
"I do mean it. I'm just sorry that I've been too much of a coward to tell you in the past."
She proceeded to throw her arms around his shoulders in a tight embrace. He inhaled quickly as her clothing scraped against his cuts and the sudden force of her body angered his bruises. When the pain was gone, he wrapped his arms securely around her and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
"Make me a promise."
"What is that?"
"You can't ever leave me like that again or so help me…"
"I swear. I won't."
They slipped from the each others arms and with a new smile on her face, Relena finished bandaging his cuts and bruises.
XOXOXO
Duo sat motionless in the dark holding room taking deep breaths and conserving his energy. His brain was working in low gear, focusing on any outside noises. As he sat in the dark room with his eyes closed he ran through a mental checklist. In his hair were several bobby pins he could use to pick various locks but they had taken his firearm. So he was at their mercy. There was no way he could take out more than two or so at a time as he was. Heavy footsteps forced his eyes open. His pupils took a moment to adjust to the confining darkness before the door was thrown open. Duo let a sly grin creep onto his lips.
"Preventer Maxwell. Come with me… we're about to make a show out of you. And send a little message to that precious Vice Foreign Minister of yours."
"I've always dreamed of being in show business." Duo mocked.
"Let's go, funny-guy." The large burly man grabbed Duo's hair, jerking him up.
"Watch the hair!"
The man's response was knocking Duo's lights out.
XOXOXOXO
Hello again everyone. Surprised that I updated again soon (ie, within about a month that is)? I know I am. This chapter was just so much fun to write it got done quicker than I expected. Hope you all enjoy and leave me a review to let me know what you think. Seriously. I'll give you a dollar if you review. 13 reviews in four chapters is kinda sad. Not that I'm desperate or anything. Yeah….