I don't know what you'll think of this chapter. It's quite different from waht I set out to do.

Thanks for your reviews!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.

Fatal Mistakes

What Danny felt when he saw Maria in registration the following day transended relief. A mixture of emotions boiled up inside him: joy,happiness, anger, hate. Hate because she sat with her other friends tossing her hair as if nothing out of the ordinaryhad happened. Hate because she had purposely ignored his calls as he saw her show the other girls something on her mobile. Hate because it was his fault he lost her.

This didn't even match what his feelings were towards Lowe. Theman had manipulated Maria over and over again. He had ruined Heero's relationship with her and purposefully. He didn't want to think what the man would do now. What else was there to do? Surely his business with Maria would be finished. What else could the man do?

It was up to Danny to find out.

Without saying a word to his teacher, he left the room and headed for Lowe's office. He knew that he wouldn't be busy. It was a part of school policy for new teacher's not to take a home room until the next term. That would work to Danny's advantage. He took a deep breath and entered the room without bothering to knock. He had no intention of showing any form of courtesy to the man. He shut the door firmly behind him so Lowe would know he was there. The only problem was Lowe wasn't. He ruffled a hand through his short brown hair in confusion. He noticed that there was a steaming cup of coffee still sitting on his desk so he had been here. Which meant he would be coming back. He could either wait or use his life more wisely.

He looked outside to make sure there was no one coming and opened Lowe's drawers on his desk to see what he could find. He rummaged through the first two drawers without success and moved on to the bottom one only to find it was locked.

What is it you're hiding in here, Danny thought to himself.

He looked out a paper clip from his bag and bent it to it was as straight as it would go. His father had taught him how to pick a lock a few years ago. He never guessed it was a skill that would come in handy. He pushed the tip of the clip into the top of the lock and wiggled it about until he felt the contraption inside give. The drawer came open easily.

At first he couldn't see why it would be locked. It was empty. Then he saw a hole in the centre of the drawer just big enough for a finger to fit through. He discovered it lifted up to reveal a hidden compartment of the drawer. How it got there, he wasn't sure. But when he saw what it was hiding he knew why. There, in the very back, was a shiny black gun, which he kenw from his father's passsed down knowledge was a Desert Eagle .50. He lifted it up and checked to see if it was loaded. It was. Why would a school teacher keep a loaded gun in his desk?

There were voices outside which interrupted him from his thoughts. Panic set in. He quickly placed the lid back on and closed the drawer as quietly as he could but it wouldn't close properly. He pushed it harder, hearing themale voicescome closer until they were just outside the door. With one final shove, it closed completely but the force caused the coffee cup to knock over and fall to the floor with a loud smash.

Lowe rushed into the office in alarm. "What in the hell happened?" He demanded.

"Sorry, sir, but I was coming in to speak to you when I, uh, tripped and knocked over your coffee. I'm so sorry" Danny kept his eyes focussing on Lowe's, like he knew he should.

The man frowned and was joined by another in a full black suit, completely wiht black sunglasses. He looked like some one out of a gangster movie but twice as nasty. The man closed the doorand Danny heard the key turn in the lock.

"Don't be alarmed, boy." Lowe said. "I just assumed that if what you had to speak to me about was so important that you came in such a hurry as to run into my desk, you should at least have privacy to talk." He gestured to the seat wich the other man placed behind him.

"I'm fine standing."

"It's not a request."

Danny felt his shoulders be pushed down and reluctantly allowed himself to be forced onto the seat. He knew they couldn't keep this up for much longer since the start of the first lessons would begin in a few minutes. Then to his horror, he heard the fire alarm go off.

Lowe smiled crookedly. "As you can hear, we have all the time in the world. Talk."

"Well, it's just that, umm-"

"Spit it out boy!" He spat.

"What do you want with Maria?"

"With Maria? My, I couldn't possibly think what you're on about. Tell me what is your name?"

"Danny. Maxwell."

The man stroked his chin throughtfully. "Maxwell, you say? You wouldn't by any chance be the son of Duo Maxwell?"

"The very same." He raised his head defiantly.

"I can see the resemblance. You have the same cockiness..." He paused as he noticed the safety pin lying beside his desk, or what used to be. Danny followed his eyes and realised he'd forgotton to pick it up when he closed the drawer. He felt the hair's on the back of his neck stand up as Lowe tried drawer number three and found it sprang open. "...and quite evidently the same talent for poking your nose in where it's not wanted. What were you looking for?"

Danny swallowed back the fear that be felt. "I know you're up to something. Why else would you take such an interest in Maria, Zero One's daughter?"

"Ahhh." He smiled in delight. "So you know all about that, then." He pulled up the lid and removed his gun. "I wonder, maybe you can tell me, Danny Boy, why the postion of my gun in my desk now is different to the position it was in this morning? Has some one been looking where they ought not to be looking?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Oh dear, oh dear. Just what am I going to do with you? I can't very well let you leave with this...knowledge."

"You can't do anything to me." Danny said, hiding the shakiness in his voice.

"Oh no? I can see that you lack the skills your father had that made him so capable of getting him out of danger." Lowe paused for a moment, toying with Danny like he was a mouse and Lowe, tha cat. "I gather that, since you came here during registration, that you failed to be registered?" Danny suddenly felt numb. "And you know that, during a fire drill, there will be no one in the building but the three of us?" The numbness turned to sick. "And from both of these put together, we can conclude that by the time anyone realises that you aren't here it'll be too late." He tutted. "What a mess you've gotten yourself into."

Danny felt something connect with the back of hishead and his world suddenly went black.

"What will I do with the boy, sir?" Asked the other man.

"Take him with you. I think he'll prove to be most useful. It happens tonight. It all ends tonight."

Once again, Maria and Lowe were sat across from each other. Lowe had known Maria would come today. She obviously was needed a friend to talk to. She'd soon get the chance. Very soon.

"Maria, dear." He said sympathetically as she told him what she'd done when she's left last night. "If only you'd told me. I would have arranged something for you.£

"It's all right, sir. I'm getting on okay. My mum will be coming home soon. I'll go back then."

"Very wise," He sat for a moment in thought. "I have something to show you, Maria."

She cocked her head in interest"What is is?"

He winked "It's a surprise. I've left it in my car. Come with me."

She followed him to his parkedblackMercedes. "Nice." She said.

He opened the door for her andshegot into it. He walked round to the other side and got into the driver's seat.Then he locked the doors. Maria looked at him in surprise and tried to open the door on her side.

"It's no use." He simply said.

"What's going on?" She demanded.

"Me and you, we're going on a little drive." He took out his gun and aimed it at her forehead. "But first, let me be honest with you. I made everything up. The gundam pilots? Evil? The gundam pilots are the very reason you now live in peace. It was organisations like mine that you needed to watch out for."

Maria stifled a gasp. "What?"

"Yes. You've been lapping everything up like a fool. And now look where it's gotten you. Your father, yes, did some terrible things but they were far outnumbered by the good. And everything I told you yesterday? All lies. Your father only bowed out once he saw what we were doing was wrong. You see, I did train him, but I trained him to be the perfect soldier, no emotions to hold him back. I would give him an order and he carried it out, no questions asked. Then he started to get feelings. He questioned things. And soon after, he left to do better things. Things to benifit the future. Banish the evil and all that shit."

"Oh God." Tears began to fall down her cheeks. "What have I done."

"What have you done? You've just made the biggest mistake of your life, my dear." He smiled, triumphant. "And now I'm about to have Heero right where I want him." He handed her a phone and a sheet of paper. "Phone your father and read this out."

"No."

He cocked the trigger. "I don't want to have to repeat myself."

"Just kill me. I won't sell him out like that."

Lowe sighed impatiently. "I thought you might say that. Will you risk the life of him?"

He gestured over to another parked car. Maria felt her stomach turn when she saw that Danny was bound and lyeing across the seat, obviously unconsious. There were several men, dressed in black, with guns in their hands, ready to kill if need be.

"Alright." She croaked. "I'll call him."

"Good girl."

She took the phone and the note from Lowe and dialled her home number. It rang several times until Heero picked up.

"Hello?" He sounded so weary.

"Dad? Dad! It's Maria. I'm so sorry." Her voice came out in sobs.

"Maria? Are you alright?"

"Read!" Lowe hissed.

"Who's there with you? Maria, talk to me?"

She sniffed and held the note in her trembling hands. "I'm with Lowe. God, I'm so sorry!"

Lowesighed againand grabbed the phone from her hands. "Hello, Heero." He said sweetly.

"Lowe." Heero growled.

"Just letting you know, I have your daughter here with me. If you want to see her again then I suggest you come to the warehouses on the harbour. Number fourteen. Is midnight okay for you?"

"I'll be there." Heero snapped.

"I'm sure you will. Come alone and unarmed. And, for your daughter's sake, don't try anything. For every time you step out of line, little Maria loses a finger. And once we run out of fingers, well, I'm sure you catch my drift."

"You touch her and I'll kill you."

Lowe chuckled andhung up the phone and looked at Maria's pathetic state. Her makeup had leaked down her face leaving blackened tears. Her arms were drawn around her legs in a childish state. He grabbed her head and held a clothed over her nose and mouth. Maria breathed in a sickly sweet smell and immediately felt darkness surround her until she had no choice but to give in.

I'm not so sure about this one. I didn't mean for it to go all dark and stuff but I couldn't help it. I hope you all don't mind. Oh well. Please review and let me know what you think.

jellybean-kitty