Chapter Ten:

Heero felt like he couldn't breath. The Minister was bringing this much to far; for such a proclaimed holy woman to think of killing an innocent family was beyond his comprehension. A shiver passed over his body as he pondered the lives that would be lost to keep his freedom, and the length Minister Darlain was willing to take to acquire her desire.

His clothes were sopping wet as he hid in the cool shadows of the stone bridge. Already the crowds had dispersed once the soldiers left, mumbling to themselves about the events they witnessed. Heero wiped his long bangs away from his forehead, panting with exertion from pulling the deadweight of Trowa out of the water, after removing most of his heavy armor.

Closing his eyes, he took deep breaths and tried to calm himself so he could hear his surroundings. Only the crickets greeted his ears. Heero glanced down at Wing to see her own ears perked at attention, swiveling in different directions to hear any sign of threat. Then, she lowered them and glanced up at her charge. Heero nodded down at his companion, taking her actions to mean it was safe to take their leave.

Heero shifted the weigh of Trowa slightly, frowning when he saw the taller man was all but being dragged by him. Beads of sweat glistened his forehead and his mouth was turned down in a frown of concentration and dark thoughts. He had already torn his sleeve to bind and staunch the flow of blood from Trowa's shoulder wound.

Breathing heavily, he looked up at the dark sky littered with stars. "It's much to far to drag him all the way to the Court." At his words, he turned, looking towards the city. The looming presence of Notre Dame soothed his weary thoughts and gave him peace of mind.

"Come on, Wing." Together, the two made their way as silently as possible towards the sanctuary the holy building offered.

…

"Heero?" Duo questioned, curiously opening the door wider. He noted the slumped body leaning against his friend and raised an eyebrow in response. "Is that the new Captain of the Guard?"

"It is." Heero panted.

Duo's eyes flashed angrily. "He's with Relena."

"No." The brunet said, dragging the older man into the room. "Do you have a place where I can put him?"

Duo warily nodded, gesturing to a nearby alcove with a straw bed and glowing candle. Heero gently deposited his heavy load onto the bed. Trowa moaned, eyes flickering.

Heero turned and looked at Duo, offering a small smile. "Thank you." He bit his lower lip, "This was the only place I could think of…"

Duo smiled, walking closer to gently touch the other man's shoulder. "It's alright, Heero." He dipped a cloth into a nearby bowl of water and handed it to Heero.

As the gypsy wiped the clean cloth against the soldier's forehead, Duo fiddled with the end of his braid. He kept his eyes on the Captain, still wary. "Are you sure he won't turn on you and tell Relena?"

"Yes." Heero put down the cloth, "He is now wanted by Relena, just as I. He saved a family and defied her orders."

"Oh." Duo softly said. He turned to look at his silent gargoyle friends. For a brief moment, he saw them motion their hands towards Heero, as if telling him to approach the other boy once again.

"Mmm." Duo deflated when he saw his chance dashed at the awakening of the green-eyed man. "Heero?" He mumbled, voice scratchy.

"Shh." Heero whispered, "Don't talk." He placed his hand over the other man's mouth. He didn't notice Duo silently retreat out of hearing distance, a wounded look in the other man's eyes. Wing silently made her way over towards the braided man, earning a scratch behind the ears for her company.

Trowa grabbed Heero's hand as he began to pull away. "Heero." Trowa repeated, "I think…" He paused, furrowing his eyebrows together. "I think I find myself having… feelings for you."

Heero stared at the other man and then placed his other hand over Trowa's clenching hand, clasping their hands together. He closed his eyes and then gave a small smile. "I'm sorry Trowa, but my heart lies elsewhere." He opened his eyes once more, giving a small smile of sympathy.

Trowa's emerald eyes shone with pain, both physical and emotional. "I… understand." His voice choked. Heero's eyes softened at his pain.

"I really am… sorry." He softly whispered, then leaved down to place a kiss on the man's forehead for protection.

Duo turned his head away, ignoring the sharp pain in his chest from his silent show. He was glad he couldn't hear their words of whispered endearments. He was sure his heart wouldn't be able to take it. Tears prickled in his eyes. 'After all,' he bitterly thought, 'who could possibly love a monster… a demon?' A soft, bitter laugh erupted from his throat.

Wing gave a small whine at sensing the boy's internal turmoil. Then, her eyes flicked to the side, picking up noises. She pulled away with a small growl.

Duo jerked out of his thoughts. The clanging of soldier's footsteps alerted him to the approaching soldiers, and by association Minister Darlain. Quickly, he made his way over to the two, pulling the curtain back slightly.

"Heero! Relena is coming!" Duo hissed.

Heero jerked away, pulling his hands free from the now unconscious and drained Trowa. Quickly standing he made his way over to Wing. "Is there another exit?" He quickly asked, eyes darting across the room for any signs of an exit.

Duo grabbed Heero's cloak, wrapping it around the gypsy's shoulders as he pushed him out the doorway, hurriedly whispering directions to exit the building without running into Minister Darlain. Wing was at his heels.

"Good-bye my friend." Heero whispered his parting words, hoping to avoid any hint of detection.

Duo stood at the open doorway, watching until Heero's cloak disappeared around the corner. Then, he slumped against the doorway with sorrowful eyes. "Heero…"

TBC

Note: Sorry for the delay and any spelling mistakes. I'm slowly getting used to this new keyboard and working myself back up to the typing speed I was before I took that uber long hiatus. I want to thank all the beloved readers and reviewers of this story; I'm so glad some have stuck by and around for this story. It warms my heart.

On a side note, this story shall hopefully be updated every Friday until the end, which has finally been written as I was on a roll (seven chapters in about half a day), at the sixteenth chapter. If I happen to not update, please send a PM/review to remind me as I have a tendency to forget things sometimes.

Ascended-Demon, or Ash, demanded and so this was received. -RT