XXXVI. Proposing an Escape (aka Escaping a Proposal)

246. Clodhopper

Heero closed his eyes for a moment trying to ignore both Duo and Trowa, who were hovering over his shoulders. He didn't want help, so he kept having to remind himself he needed it… He could already feel the shackles around his ankles dragging him down. Zechs had the upper-hand, it was Heero's own fault.

'I know ballet's boring, but an escape plan?' Duo had yet to hear the whole story.

'Hn.'

'And ya' need me 'cause…?'

'I want you to use your hacking skills to shut off the lights at my command.'

'Is this a romantic proposal thing?'

'No.'

247. Peavey

'Ya' know…' Heero and Trowa shared a look, preparing themselves for whatever ideas Duo might have come up with. 'In theatres they usually have those cables… hooks… whatever that they use to lift people up... I think I could control those remotely too. It's all electronic these days. You could escape Batman style.'

'Doesn't sound too bad.' Trowa commented impressed.

'Hn.' Heero wasn't quite as convinced.

'Unless…' Duo resumed. 'You do mean to propose…' he smirked, winking conspiratorially. 'In which case I think you should do something more Superman or Spiderman style. Carry the princess in tow, ya' know?'

'No.'

248. Ignominy

'You're one of the top killers in the entire world!' Duo was truly – insistently – exasperated. 'Running away from a five feet tall skinny blonde will surely put a dent on your impeccable reputation.'

'Can you do it or not?' Heero pointedly ignored him.

'Of course I can do it! What ya' need to ask is "will I"? And "for what price"?' he corrected solicitously.

'Not a smart move, Maxwell.' Trowa informed him when only silence followed.

'I think…' Heero cut in and Duo's mouth snapped shut. 'Letting you leave here unharmed, after that, would put a dent in my reputation.'

249. Glossa

'There's no need to kill him.' Trowa told Heero as casually as if they were discussing the weather. 'Just cut out his tongue. That'll solve all of our problems.'

Duo couldn't believe what was happening and for once he only frowned and gaped.

'As good as that sounds… Right now we need to be able to communicate.'

'You can read lips.'

'Yes, but when I'm at the ballet and Maxwell's behind the computer screen that won't help.'

'What the fuck?!' was as articulate as Duo managed to get right then.

'Well, you can do it afterwards.' Trowa assured him.

'Hn.'

250. Templet

'These are the blueprints?' his sidekicks asked leaning over his shoulders.

'Hn.'

'Do you know where you're going to be?' Duo had a troubled frown on. 'Place is huge.'

'Probably somewhere in the VIP area.'

'The VIP area? Well, that totally ruins my grand-exit plan…' the braided man pouted.

'Where did you think we were going to be?' Trowa frowned.

'Here.' He pointed.

'On stage?'

'Yup! What? It's a proposal, isn't it?'

Trowa turned to Heero. 'Are you really not explaining the situation to him?'

'He's a blackmailer.'

'That means "no".' Duo translated.

'How worse could it get?' Trowa wondered.

251. Masjid

'No.' Catherine said, crossing her arms stubbornly. 'The ballet is sacred. Sa-cred. And I absolutely refuse to cooperate with your stupid plans to ruin it. Sa-cred.'

'Have you told her you're proposing?' Duo whispered in Heero's ear.

Catherine's eyes widened to the point where they feared they might fall out. 'I think she heard you.' Trowa informed the braided man.

'Clearly.' Heero agreed.

'No.' Catherine – arms akimbo – glared daggers at them. Duo thought it was a good thing she wasn't throwing daggers… yet. 'You, men, are always trying to ruin beautiful things… I can't let you ruin two at once!'

252. Reticent

'He won't tell ya' anything.' Duo felt the need to tell Catherine as she insisted on questioning Heero.

'Well, he has to if he wants my help.' She said masterfully, walking into her bedroom a few feet away.

'I don't want your help.' Heero informed just as masterfully.

'We only told you about the plan so you wouldn't panic in case something happened.' Her brother explained.

'But he does need it.' She returned confident. 'My help. He knows nothing about ballet or proposals.'

None of them could deny that, so Catherine smirked victoriously and resumed getting ready for the night.