I do not own Gundam Wing. This fan fiction has no commercial value and I am not making any kind of profit or income off of this.

Chapter 13

Their car sped down the highway; the distant city lights growing closer every passing moment. Heero's mind was racing, but his puzzle was desperately short of pieces. He needed answers.

"Tell me this, Darlian, and I need the truth," Heero said menacingly.

The Governor looked up. From his position on the driver's side of the backseat, he could see the flashing cold blue eyes in the rear view mirror. "What's that?"

"What is your tie with Barton? How are you involved in this?"

"I'm not 'involved', with Barton. As I've said before…"

"I'm not interested in your political babble bull-shit! Do you want to die?" Heero snarled. There was a click as he removed the safety from his gun, "Do you want your daughter to die?" he asked in a low voice, pointing the 9mm in her face.

Relena's eyes widened, but she remained silent. "Who is this person?" she wondered. "What happened to that lost little boy that I fell in love with? He's so cold now, distant…" And suddenly that memory played again in her mind.

She looked up into empty ice-blue eyes.

"I'll kill you."

She shook her head, unaware that Heero was watching her intently out of the corner of his eye.

"All right, all right! When I first ran for office as Mayor of New Port City, Quinze Barton helped finance my campaign. Back then, no one knew he wasn't a legitimate businessman. He might have been…"

Heero lowered the gun, re-engaging the safety mechanism, and glanced up in the rear view mirror. "Go on."

"I did a few favors for him, nothing illegal, mind you, but pulled some strings here and there.

"When I became an Ambassador, I didn't hear from him for a long time. I thought our business was finished. Then I was elected Governor, and found out how mistaken I was…." His voice trailed off, as if he was remembering something. He drew in a breath and continued his narrative, barely able to contain his temper.

"He claimed he was the reason I had won the election, and he had damning evidence of our former 'friendship' from my days as Mayor. He wanted me to cooperate or he'd bury my political career. I refused and waited for the worst to happen…" His voice lowered as he finished the sentence, "…and it did."

"The next thing I knew, Feds were crawling all over my books, my personal life, everything. They told me his son was dating Relena. She had always had a soft spot in her heart for…worthless young men. I don't know why…"

The harsh words came out of his mouth before he realized what he was saying.

"Father!" she looked over at Heero, who was gripping the steering wheel so hard, his knuckles had turned white. She put a hand on his arm, but he wrenched out of her grasp.

Brown eyes flashed in anger as he watched the exchange. "You, sir, are no better – holding a gun to her head to get me to talk!"

"You're not done, yet. There's evidence…evidence that judges took bribes to let Barton's guys walk; evidence of botched raids and drug busts, and evidence of state and national officials being paid off in funds traced back to a dummy corporation in which you are a share holder."

There was silence for a moment.

Heero continued in a voice filled with restrained fury, "And you mustn't think I'm too worthless because you're counting on me not killing her."

"I don't know what you're talking about! I have nothing to do with any of that…if what you say is even true!"

"Why does Barton want you dead?"

"I assumed it was because I wouldn't cooperate. That theory won't hold water with you, obviously."

"Hn."

They pulled up outside the First Methodist Hospital. Heero got out and walked over to Relena's door. He opened it and she stood up. He grabbed the arms hanging limply down at her sides, and pulled her close.

"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear.

She didn't look at him. He moved his hand to her face, tipping it gently, silently willing her to look at him.

"I'll explain everything…when this is over, I promise."

She looked down and nodded.

"Relena, you have to trust me. It's not always easy, I know, but please, I need you to believe in me."

She finally met his gaze. He saw the tears and put his arms around her. "I don't have a lot of time," he continued whispering.

She returned his hug, breathing in his comforting scent.

"I love you, Relena," he said so softly, he wasn't sure she even heard him; he kissed the top of her head.

She let out a quiet sob. He pushed her away gently, "Get in the car, I'll be right back. Sit in the back with your father. Duo will need the front seat."

She nodded and opened the door to the backseat. Heero turned and went into the hospital.

Duo opened his eyes and looked over at his friend. "Not that I'm unhappy to see ya, buddy, but visiting hours are over."

"You're coming with me."

"What? Oh, okay, yeah, sure. You're funny." He said and closed his eyes again.

"I'm not kidding," he said and yanked the IV out of Duo's arm.

"HEY!" he cried out, and brought his left arm in close to his body, cradling it in his right. "What are you, crazy?"

"Shut up," Heero commanded as he looked for something to bandage Duo's arm. He moved over to the little desk area and grabbed some gauze and tape.

"I'm bleeding," Duo whimpered.

"I don't have time for this," Heero hissed, dressing Duo's wound.

"How do you expect me to get out of here? I'm not supposed to be putting weight on this leg, yet."

Heero glared at him.

"Look, I'm only human…"

"You're going to be dead, if you don't get moving."

"Sheesh! You're sure in a good mood. Apparently, you need more than a woman to cure your dysfunction….AAAAAAA!" Duo screamed as he was pushed forward and then collapsed into the waiting wheelchair.

Heero covered him with his coat and tried to look like they belonged there as he pushed the escapee toward the waiting room leading to the exit.

"Where are we going?" Duo asked, his face set in a grim expression as he bit back the pain.

"Someplace safe. Where I can think."

"Hn. Did you at least grab my medication?"

"No. I need you to be responsive."

"Shit! I'm not that responsive when I'm not on medication!"

"Shh…" Heero suddenly opened a door and wheeled Duo into a room that looked very similar to the one they had just left. Duo looked up at him questioningly. Heero didn't notice; he was listening to footsteps.

"What are we doing?" Duo whispered.

Heero looked around the room and spied some clothing draped over a chair. He tossed it over to Duo, and then walked over to the window.

"Damn it!" Heero hissed. They were on the first floor, but nowhere near the car. He quickly chose one of the two equally bad alternatives and opened the window. "Come on."

"What? I can't walk!" Duo cried out, pulling on the oversized shirt. It looked a little ridiculous, but not nearly as bad as the hospital gown he had been wearing. He had managed to wriggle into the pants without having to fully leave the chair.

"Now!"

With great effort, Duo rose to his feet. He took a step and almost collapsed from the pain shooting up his leg. Heero caught him and half-dragged him to the window. Duo managed to struggle out the small window and prop himself up against the wall. Heero was right behind him.

The two made their way slower than what Heero would have liked towards the front of the building. Duo was making progress, able to stand more of the pain. But he still leaned heavily on Heero. Suddenly gunshots rang out, followed by a squeal of tires as a big black car tore around the corner racing towards them.

The driver slammed on the brakes, and opened the door. A blond head peeked out the side. "Hurry! Get in!"

Heero ran, carrying Duo the remaining few feet to the car. He shoved him into the back seat, before sliding into the passenger's seat. Before he could shut the door, there was another screech of tires and the sound of glass shattering as a big black Lincoln Town car slid around the corner behind them. Relena jammed her foot down on the gas pedal as Heero wrestled to close a now windowless door.

"What took you so long?" Heero shouted as Relena tore out of the parking lot onto the street, and pressed the pedal to the floor. Relena tried to keep from smiling as she gave him a disapproving sidelong glance.

"Turn here," he ordered, grabbing the wheel and yanking it to the right. She tried to keep control of the vehicle by stepping lightly on the brake. The car slid across three lanes of traffic before she was able to straighten it.

"Where are we going?"

"Just do as I say."

She frowned at him.

"Turn left."

Relena turned the wheel hard to the left, barely avoiding the curb on the far side of the two-way, two lane street. The Lincoln flew around the corner right behind them. There was the sound of more gunshots, metal tearing, and glass shattering.

"Move to the left."

Relena positioned the car in the far left lane on the wrong side of the road. She could see headlights in the distance, coming towards them. She glanced worriedly over at Heero, but held their position as she watched him turn away from her in his seat. Heero pulled his pistol from its holster and began firing at their pursuers through his windowless door. He took out the left front tire, causing the car to pitch forward and skid wildly out of control. It veered left, heading towards the Mercedes.

Relena looked at the Lincoln threatening their right side, then up at the semi truck that had come into view, barreling down on them.