By Heartfire
~*~
Hilde and Duo turned just as a body crashed against glass, shattered it like sugar pane, and then dropped on the floor with a sickening sound. Two pairs of shocked, wide eyes stared from the unconscious body, up to… a mop of golden hair, leaning over a table to check his handiwork.
The blonde looked up and gave the couple, still in each other's arms, a tentative smile. "Sorry I'm late."
"Q-man?!" Duo gaped as he stared from their gentle mannered friend to the guy on the floor then back again.
He got there just in time to stop the man- thank Allah! Now… Quatre looked behind him to the other groaning man then checked the table. He saw the button he was looking for, smiled, and then pressed it. A light turned from green to red. "I'll explain later, but I think you two should hurry up and follow me." That said, he dropped to the floor and tried to trace a wire…
Duo and Hilde looked at each other. A blush slowly formed upon Hilde's cheeks just as it did on Duo's.
Quatre grinned as he found the end of the wire, straight into the container he expected.
Hilde cleared her throat. "Uhm…"
Duo swallowed.
"We need to talk…" They said at the same time.
Quatre pressed a button and a small disk popped out. "Got it." He carefully placed the silvery disk inside his research team's disk container while he placed the other in his pocket. Duo's and Hilde's record was much more important besides, his team would provide him another disk if he needed it.
"Quatre… what are you doing down there?"
Hilde's voice nearly made him jump. Should he tell them? Should he…? "Uh… I… uh… dropped something…" He looked away, afraid that they would see what he's been up to. "Are you guys ready?" He noted the distance between the two as they nodded but decided to not think about it for now. "Good. Follow me. We'll take the back way."
"Why?" Duo pushed one of the men out of Hilde's way with his foot.
"I told you. I'll explain later." Quatre checked the hall outside the door then motioned for the go.
They didn't meet anyone as they went through their route. A slight flicker of surprise appeared on the couple's faces when they saw a limousine, with Rashid, waiting outside just as they exited the door. They didn't need any more prompting as they scooted inside the limo with Quatre right behind.
"Rashid, Serad, did you finish what I asked you to do?"
"The other reporters only came in a few minutes before us but Channel 340 might pose a problem."
"Why?" Quatre leaned over to one side, grabbed the phone, and then hit a programmed number in the process.
"They were able to record it from the beginning. They might have a back up in their station. We were able to destroy their tapes but anyone who was watching 340 saw it."
Quatre nodded as he tried to think of any way to stop another broadcast. "Hello, Jasmine? I've got a big favor to ask."
Rashid turned to look at the couple with a confused look on their faces, and sitting quite far apart from each other.
"Yes, I know. Dinner? Sure. I'll be there for the gathering. Okay, there's a little situation over here. Could you please contact whoever's in charge of Station 340 and tell them to destroy all tapes with Duo and Hilde's pictures around seven fifteen p.m. Hartwater time. Got it?" A pause and the three could only watch as Quatre nodded. "Yes. Duo Maxwell and Hilde Schebecker-" Quatre's eyes widened. "You saw the whole thing?!"
Duo and Hilde frowned.
"You will?" Relief replaced shock and Quatre finally smiled. "Thanks, sis."
The moment he got off the phone, Duo cornered him. "What the hell is happening here?"
"I think Duo colorfully stated the question I wanted to ask." Hilde added as she frowned at Quatre.
Quatre sighed. "Well… I'm just happy that both of you are seated… Ready for the news?"
Hilde nodded while Duo shrugged and so, Quatre began to recount the earlier events. A few minutes later, the blonde looked from a slack jawed Hilde to a disbelieving Duo. "So… you guys basically humiliated Lawrence Morley worldwide."
"The crowd outside the hotel was cheering for both of you." Rashid added with a hint of a smile.
"Oh… my…" Hilde swallowed.
Duo weakly leaned against the backrest of his seat. "I… I don't know what to say…"
Quatre laughed merrily. All he wanted to say was- 'Bring out the champagne!!!' Of course, with the tension he could feel emanating between the two, maybe they shouldn't… "Well, that's a first."
Duo stepped on Quatre's foot but the blonde didn't mind at all. Already thinking ahead, he laid out his plan. "Duo, Hilde, right now, I think it would be best if you guys leave Hartwater. You can use my shuttle and you can go anywhere you wish. Then, I'll arrange to have your luggage delivered to your home. Is that acceptable?" Quatre didn't wait for their answer as he motioned for Rashid to contact their staff.
Duo shyly glanced at Hilde, who was focusing all her attention to the hem of the coat she stole from one of the men. She couldn't look at him… not yet…
Silence encompassed the limousine until they stopped… Rashid was the first one out and held the door for them. Quatre waited until Rashid closed the door then motioned for them to follow him. "I'll walk you guys to the shuttle. You can wait inside."
"Wait… what about you?" Duo sped up and started to walk alongside Quatre.
"I've got a meeting tomorrow."
"That explains why you're here." Hilde piped from Quatre's other side.
"Yes." Quatre's quick eyes zoomed to one of his staff and he walked faster. He does not want anyone to know that Duo and Hilde were in the airport. He wants them out of sight. "We're here."
They reached the woman in elegant, yet practical clothing, with a welcoming smile on her face. "Good evening, Mr. Winner."
Quatre nodded. "Good evening, Cassie. These are my friends, Duo and Hilde… Please take good care of them."
Cassie nodded. "I will, Mr. Winner. We are waiting permission to take off in half an hour."
"Are you sure everything is secure? Do you have enough beverage and food?" Rashid inquired as he checked the shuttle from the window.
"Yes sir. Everything is in order."
"Thank you, Cassie." Quatre gave the woman a smile before he turned to his friends. "Okay. Just tell the pilot where you want to go."
"Uh… Thanks, Quatre…" Hilde whispered just as Duo nodded.
Quatre shook his head. "It isn't any trouble. What are friends for, right? Of course, you still have to tell me what happened back there."
"Er…" Hilde looked away.
Duo coughed. "Sure, Q-man…"
"Fine." Quatre held out his hand for Duo and his friend gratuitously accepted it. He turned to Hilde, ready to do the same but she hugged him instead. "Well… you two lie low for a bit…"
"We will." Hilde waved her good bye. "Thanks again, Quatre."
Quatre only grinned, glanced at Duo who gave him a thankful smile, and then Cassie started to lead them away… A sigh escaped him just as they disappeared from his line of vision. "Do you think they'd settle their differences in twenty minutes?"
Rashid's eyebrow shot up as he tilted his head thoughtfully. "Master Quatre… what do you think?"
Quatre pushed his hands into his trouser pockets and shrugged. "Right now… I'm not thinking… Right now, I'm just… hoping…"
…
"The bathroom, is at the back and if you need anything, just press this button."
Duo and Hilde nodded as they looked around the shuttle. It was built for luxury, that's for sure! Man! They could invite a hundred people and party in here! The seats at the farthest ends were long and wide, almost like beds, while the ones nearer to the front were curved in a half moon… and everything was in white leather. Even the floor was carpeted! Luscious sky blue carpeting!
Duo whistled. "Man! Quatre's got the life…"
"Mr. Winner only wishes to please his guests and family members with these luxuries." Cassie fluffed a pillow and neatly arranged it onto the nearest seat. "Would you like some beverage or cakes?"
Hilde shook her head. "No, thank you."
Duo just shrugged. He's too nervous. "Uh… later, maybe."
"Remember, just press the button if you need me. I'm going to check on the tower status." With one last smile, she walked to the small door that separated their side from the main control system of the shuttle.
Duo nervously pushed his hand through his hair while Hilde unconsciously brought her hand to the base of her throat, a sure sign of unease. She couldn't take it – them, not talking… the tension in between…
"Are you all right?" It was hard to tell if she received any bruises under that thick, black coat.
"Yes…" Hilde started to nervously wring her wrists.
Duo nodded… Her single answer didn't exactly prompt him to make a genial conversation.
"Duo…" She faced him and forced her eyes not to look away.
Suddenly feeling bashful, Duo tried to meet her look. "Yeah, I know… We have to talk."
Hilde nodded.
With the embarrassing knowledge in his heart, and incriminating evidence in his pockets, Duo swallowed hard. "Uh… Ladies first."
She stopped a grimace. She didn't want to go first… then again, better to get it over with. "About that kiss-"
"Hilde, please don't say that you're sorry." Duo cut her off… It pained him that she would say that again… Dammit! He wants to at least think she had felt something for him!
A frown appeared on her forehead as she tried to comprehend what was happening. She was a little bit confused… she wasn't even sure if she truly heard him say he wasn't sorry inside the conference room only a few minutes ago… She opened her lips only to ask him why but he cut her off again. This time, with a finger upon her lips…
"Please… Don't…" Duo quickly pulled his hand away then took a step back. Distance. He needs distance…
"I… I guess it's your turn…" What else could she say? He didn't want to talk about it…
All the different ways of introducing the problem that he practiced inside his office flew out of his mind as he heard his cue… He stuttered. "Uh…"
Hilde waited just as she always had.
"Y-you're gonna laugh at this…" He nervously pushed his hand through his mop of thick hair once again. He never even noticed that his braid was unruly.
A sinking feeling started to sweep through her stomach. "Let me guess… You forgot to go to AR-074…?"
"No!" Duo cleared his throat. Was that squeak, his voice?! "No… I went there…"
"All right…" Hilde frowned, trying to figure out why he was suddenly pale.
"Uhm…" He pushed his hands into his pockets and he felt the weight of the gold ring- Hilde's ring. Then, with his other hand, he felt the annulment papers. Slowly, he brought them out…
Hilde curiously tried to catch a glimpse but she only saw the edges of the white, folded paper. Duo looked from his hands then at Hilde and she saw complete hopelessness in his eyes… and… fear…? "Duo…?"
He tried to garner in his courage as he reached for her hands then guided it between them. Then, he placed his hands over hers. The confused frown on her face, in her eyes, didn't exactly give him the courage he needed, and he could feel himself tremble, as he had never done in such a long time. "Hilde, I didn't know… Believe me, I didn't know…"
Hilde tilted her head ever so slightly.
Duo bit his lower lip as he deposited what was in his hands on to Hilde's palms. She felt the coarseness of the paper, and the circular shape of the ring before she looked down at them.
"I… I don't think I… understand…"
'Of course not…' Duo smiled softly. "I've got a proposition for you…"
Hilde looked up and met his serious, violet eyes once again. "What is it?"
"Either you sign the annulment papers… or you stay married to me…"
The news nearly shocked her to immobility. "Wh-what…? Annulment?"
This time, Duo blushed deep red. "We… signed the bottom line… We weren't supposed to sign the bottom line of the contract if we only wanted to be married for a month."
She couldn't believe it! Her eyes widened in disbelief while she stared at Duo as though he was joking. "So… we're…?"
"We're legally married. That's why it took so long for the license to be processed."
"Oh my God…" What else could she have said?! Like a newly activated automaton, Hilde jerkily turned to the nearest seat, walked towards it, and then fell like a ton of bricks. This couldn't have happened. Was this a blessing in disguise?! Or was it a curse?
"Hilde?" Duo stood in front of her, afraid to touch her. "I'm sorry… it was all my fault… I wasn't listening when the lady was explaining the whole thing…"
She couldn't speak… God! What should she say?! Was Duo just trying to be a gentleman by telling her to stay married to him? Because of guilt?
"Hilde?" She had her head down, and he reached out to touch her but stopped himself just in time. He shouldn't…
How could she find out? How could she… "Duo… which one do you want me to choose?" She closed her fingers over the glinting gold ring, not wanting to see its shine.
Duo dropped to his knees… the moment of truth had finally came… He tried to laugh it off, but no laughter came. "Honestly?"
Hilde only nodded, head still down, face covered by her bangs. He wanted to see her reaction… With his right hand, he tenderly pushed back her bangs then traveled down the frame of her face then gently pushed her chin up. Her eyes were closed. He tried to ignore the disappointment that coursed through him. "Honestly… Hilde… I would pick…" He lovingly touched her left hand, the one in a tight fist. "This one."
Hilde's eyes snapped wide open and Duo stared into her deep, mesmerizing, sparkling, midnight blue eyes just as her left hand slowly opened to reveal the ring… her other half. "Why?"
Her voice was hoarse, as if she was trying to fight the urge to cry, and Duo felt the same way as he looked down at the ring. "It says why…"
She gazed at the ring in the middle of her palm, and saw the slight difference… Her eyes swam in a pool of haze but she tried to blink it away as she bought the ring closer for her eyes to read the engraving inside the circle of the ring.
"I love you, Hilde…" He voiced out his feelings to erase any doubts that might be flittering in her beautiful head.
'Duo loves Hilde.'
Plain, simple, and just utterly wonderful. A fresh batch of tears assailed her eyes. She must be dreaming… Someone must have found her in Morley's office and knocked her out cold. Maybe she's dead…? "I can't believe this… This isn't real…" She closed her eyes and willed for her body to wake up.
Her muttered skepticism cut through Duo's heart. Was she trying to say that she had not wanted to hear what he had just said? "Hilde… it's real."
Hilde shook her head. She wants to believe... She wants to believe it so terribly, but even with the ring on the palm of her hand… with Duo on his knees in front of her, why couldn't she believe it? Dread? Fear that everything might change?
Slowly, Duo's hopes crumbled into dust… He found his answer in her silence. The way she wouldn't look at him. "Hilde…"
She locked her jaw, afraid that she would suddenly bawl at the soft tone of his voice.
He was dying inside but he wanted to voice his feelings out before he accepts the inevitable. At least, there wouldn't be any more secrets on his side. "I know I haven't been the easiest man to live with… I've been an ass. I've been a complete idiot. I didn't know I was living with the woman I love all these years… and then when I finally did, I was afraid…"
Hilde's eyes fluttered open. Sparkling violet eyes met hers and she saw so much… so much more than she expected to… Truth…
"I was afraid our friendship would end…" A hopeless sigh escaped his lips as he turned away from her shuttered eyes and looked down at his lap, ready to end his confession. "I wouldn't stake our friendship on anything… If you don't feel the same way about me, just forget what I said… It wouldn't be the same, but I'd still like to be your friend, to be there for you." He was hopeless against the tide of emotions that had left him weak… Knowledge that everything wouldn't be the same after today was ripping him apart.
He had stopped talking… All she could see was the top of his unruly, brown head… 'God, if this is a dream, don't wake me up.' How could she describe what she had seen in his eyes? Her Duo… She let go of the paper in her hand and reached out to caress his hair.
Duo frowned at the soft touch and slowly looked up… A serene smile lighted her face while her eyes held a soft look… Her knuckles tenderly made way down his forehead, cheek, and then gracefully turned to cup his face.
"So… you had been afraid, too…"
He couldn't decipher what she was trying to tell him. At the moment, he just felt so… tired.
If there was ever a perfect confused look, it was upon Duo's face right now, and she couldn't blame him… After all, wasn't it only a little while ago that she couldn't believe it herself?
Duo's eyes slowly widened as Hilde traced his lips. He wasn't used to the way she was staring at him, holding him, caressing his face… He wasn't used to it but he doesn't want it to stop. Then, Hilde leaned forward and Duo forced his body not to move… He couldn't even think properly.
Hilde nearly smiled at the tension she could feel radiating from him. He, who was always so relaxed. She stopped just before their lips touched and her breath teased at his lips. "I love you, too…"
She saw the surprise in his eyes then felt his jaw drop and she used that moment to kiss him as a passionately in love woman would… and Duo responded the way she had always dreamt he would… only this time, it was better…
His arms went around her waist and marveled at her taste. For an instant there, he thought he had lost everything… He was so wrong. They parted only to drink in air as a nearly drowned man would but their eyes were that of a thousand twinkling stars, so alive and full of joy.
"I thought…" Duo whispered as his hands traced a path from her elbows to her hands.
Hilde nodded. "I know… me too…" She could read his mind…
He brought her hands, one of them opened while the other was closed, to his lips for a kiss. He felt a tremor from her that brought excitement in him. "I think it's time to put the ring back on…"
Hilde opened her left hand and Duo, still on his knees, picked the ring and reverently placed it back where it rightfully belonged- around Hilde's finger… With his eyes still trained on Hilde's face, Duo leaned down and kissed the ring then tentatively brushed a light kiss upon her knuckles. It was the most memorable day of her entire life… and his.
A knock came from the cockpit, and with their hands still clasped in each other's, they glanced at the door.
Cassie walked inside with her smile. "I'm sorry to bother you, but we're cleared for take-off and our pilot would like to know our destination to make the final flight path adjustments."
Their hands tightened in each other's hold as they glanced back at one another. His eyes asked her the question and she answered.
"Let's go home." Hilde whispered as she leaned against his shoulder with a sigh.
He wouldn't have it any other way as he kissed her one her hair. "Of course…"
…
Duo checked his caller identification before he opened the communication lines and saw Relena's image.
"Hey, Rel." At that moment, Hilde peeked inside his office and he grinned as he motioned her inside.
"Duo, I heard from Une and Wufei that you haven't returned their calls."
"Hi Relena." Hilde stopped just behind Duo and took her usual place, but this time, knowing that Relena wouldn't see, she leaned forward and Duo's hand met hers.
"Hi Hilde." Relena gave a cursory smile then she leaned forward and stated her concern. "Please talk some reason into Duo. Une is not exactly the best person to cross… So was James Morley's younger brother, but still…"
"It's been a little hectic here, Relena… We'll contact her as soon as possible." She felt a tender squeeze from Duo and bit back a smile. They had been busy. Reporters had been knocking on their door day and night! It was a good thing that everything was slowing down… surprising, in fact, that no one had called their office for an interview all morning! Also, their sudden popularity incited tons of projects from all over the place. It was a miracle that they could still cuddle in front of the television at night!
"B'sides, Une doesn't get mad that quickly." His thumb lightly made patterns over the back of her hand that nearly made Hilde break in uncontrollable fits of laughter.
Relena shook her head. "It's been a month! Une has patience but it also has its limits! I'm the one who gets the unnerving stares for the both of you."
"And we thank you for that, Rel."
Hilde nodded, agreeing with Duo. "From the bottom of our hearts."
Relena looked from Duo to Hilde and had the sinking feeling that she just missed a joke in there, somewhere… "Fine… all right…" A tired sigh left her lips as she checked her watch. "I'm sorry I'm snapping at both of you, but there's been too many press conferences lately…"
"Especially with your resignation in the process." Hilde leaned forward as she noticed the dark circles under Relena's eyes and concern washed over her. "Relena, are you getting enough sleep?"
The moment Hilde said that, Duo re-checked Relena's projected image. She does look a bit thinner.
Relena shook her head. "No… plenty of time for that later…"
"When is your official good bye?" With his other hand, Duo reached for a pen and paper.
"Three weeks from today at Kwairy Hall, exactly at noon. Are you going to be there?"
The hopeful look on Relena's eyes bade them to nod.
"Of course!" Duo underlined the date and place.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Who's going to replace you again?" Hilde tried to remember the name but right now, her brain had turned to mush with the way Duo's hand was tickling her palm.
"Sylvia Noventa." Relena looked behind her then grimaced. "Well, I have to go. Wufei just screamed that I'm going to be late."
Duo nodded then winked. "Maybe you'll see Heero there."
For a moment, Relena stared at the monitor as if shocked then she laughed half-heartedly. "Yes… Of course… Why didn't I think of that, Duo? I'll wear my most alluring gown. Bye now."
The monitor turned black and Duo pulled Hilde onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck while she tried to get into a better position. "You know, I think she forgot that you were only joking about Heero."
Duo glanced back at the black monitor. "Yeah… That gurl needs rest… We need to get Heero there, too…"
She knew him well enough to know when something's brewing in his mind. "So… what are you thinking?"
He just grinned. "Maybe it's time we finish up here and pay a visit to Une…"
He was talking about something else. She could just feel it. "Just remember, I want in on the plan."
Duo grinned. "Of course… Then…" He playfully growled as he leaned for a playful bite on her neck.
Hilde gasped. "Then?"
"How about a nice… long… overdue… honeymoon?" His tantalizing lips traveled up her neck then settled onto her lips and she could only murmur her approval as she tightened her embrace around him and he deepened his kiss…
They'll face the wrath of Une… later…
...
"What is it?" Intelligent brown eyes stared at the strip of paper that slowly came out of their machine. It was the first time that Arche was contacting them-
"Ma'am..."
She didn't waste any time and took the strip of paper from her subordinate's hand. Mentally, she screamed, while a hand curled in a shaking fist. "Duo... Look what you've done..." She handed the paper back to the soldier while she tried to think of a substitute plan to the one she had before. Whom could she turn to?
As the head of the Preventers stepped out of the room, the soldier glanced at the paper and read the message-
'Warning for Duo Maxwell, Arche's public enemy number one.'
Preview
Story Two: Probe the Psyche
The glass behind her shattered to a million pieces and before she could stand up, someone tackled her from behind. Indescribable pain erupted through her as her head was knocked against the stage floor while her breath was snuffed from her body… Then, along with the soft ringing sounds that came out of nowhere, she heard a familiar voice shout a string of commands…
…
The hands deep in his pockets shook. He saw Relena's head hit the stage floor… Saw her wince because of that sloppy tackle….
"You were late…." The words escaped from tightly clenched jaw. He was furious and anybody who could see him right now would be able to tell even without glancing at the burning look of death in his eyes.
One more second and Relena… could have died in front of his eyes-
…
Relena met his gaze steadily. "Wufei, you have done your best to protect me. You have stopped numerous assassination attempts on my life before they even happened. If I was destined to die… I will die." She walked to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wufei… death is my only freedom."
She treaded to the only window in the room while her words echoed in her mind. If she had wanted freedom… why did she ended up doing what the note had asked and, thereby, escaped the only way to obtain what she had been longing for?
Authoress: Heartfire