Protector
Relena followed Heero down the stairs and toward the main dining room. Everyone else was already there, save Zechs and Noin. The group was still milling around while the kitchen staff laid out trays of food on the table. As they walked in, Heero went straight for Sally while Relena stopped and said hello to everyone.
Sally turned from her conversation with Catherine when Heero tapped her on the shoulder.
You wanted to talk to me?
Heero. Yeah. We may have some information coming about this guy who's threatening Relena.
Like what exactly?
Well, I can't say for sure. We didn't get much from the fingerprints or DNA, but Wufei and I stumbled across some similar case files in the database. Zechs and Noin stayed behind to check them out.
How many?
There were at least three or four. Might be more than that.
Heero lowered his head and crossed his arms.
*Three or four? This guy's no amateur. I have a feeling this is going to get worse before it gets better.*
Hey, Relena! Whoa!
Across the room, Duo was admiring Relena's hair.
Nice hair! That braid is perfect!
Oh. Th-thank you.
She blushed and glanced nervously at Heero. Duo followed her eyes.
You've got to be kiddin' me! Is there anything the guy can't do?
Everyone sat down as the kitchen staff finished their duties. Heero, Quatre, Dorothy, Wufei, and Sally took seats on one side while Relena, Duo, Hilde, Catherine, and Trowa sat across from them. The two ends were left empty in case Zechs and Noin got back before dinner was over. They talked as they ate, but everyone generally stayed away from the one topic that had them all on edge. Heero kept a close watch on Relena to make sure she was all right.
*I dropped a bomb on her back there. I shouldn't have told her. I should have just lied. Knowing is going to do her more harm than good. She seems to be taking it well thoughtoo well.*
The kitchen staff took away the plates and uneaten food when everyone was finished. As they wheeled in a dessert cart, a smiling Zechs, with Noin at his heels, strode into the room and slammed a thick file folder on the end of the table. He looked straight at Heero.
Got him!
Heero got up from his chair and picked up the folder. He started looking through the files and pictures while Noin explained.
His name is John Demarc. From what we can tell he's pretty much a freelance assassin.
Duo's jaw fell.
What?! This guy is just doin' it for fun? To put another feather in his cap?
Zechs nodded.
That's what it seems like. From the files we gathered we know he's wanted for four killings and is the prime suspect in a dozen others.
Everyone was shocked into a speechless stupor. They hadn't expected the guy to be quite this experienced. Having read more than he wanted, Heero calmly closed the folder and set it down on the table.
We may have this information now, but I'm not sure we'll have the time to put it to any use.
Zechs looked puzzled.
What do you mean?
Heero's eyes turned cold as he looked at Zechs.
He was here.
Wufei, Trowa, and Duo shot up from their seats. Heero watched as Zechs' face hardened. He spoke in a low growl.
This afternoon. A groundskeeper saw someone moving around in the trees. He wasn't able to make out much in the way of features, but there's little chance it could have been anyone else.
Zechs slowly processed the information. His gaze drifted to the floor as he closed his eyes.
I see. So you're saying he could make his move before we even have a chance to look for him.
Zechs angrily pounded his fist against the table. Heero glanced around the table at the others, who wore somber looks on their faces, and turned back to Zechs.
We're not entirely helpless. He may have his plan and the element of surprise, but we're not without our own advantages. With eleven people we far out number him and most of us have some degree of combat experience.
Noin hung her head.
But still
Trowa, who had been his usual silent self through most of the evening, decided it was a good time to say what was on his mind.
You said it yourself, Miss Noin. A soldier will be rejuvenated when he finds something to protect.' We may not all be soldiers, but we certainly have something, or rather, someone to protect.
Wufei nodded.
I agree. Though it may be his move, we have justice on our side. We must not consign ourselves to defeat so easily.
Everyone around the table smiled and looked at Relena. She sat blushing in her seat while everyone stared at her. After a few moments, Quatre spoke up.
Well, I think that covers the pep talk. Do we have any kind of plan?
Heero instantly turned into the perfect soldier they were all familiar with and spoke in his grating, monotone voice.
First off, everyone stays here tonight. At this point, we can't afford to decrease our numbers. We'll work out some kind of a patrol system and switch off every few hours.
We should probably work in pairs for safety's sake.
Right. Good idea, Dorothy. We'll have three groups keep watch while the other two rest up. Every two hours we'll switch posts. I don't care how you pair up
Heero's gaze turned to Duo.
so long as you stay focused.
Duo ignored the veiled insult and nodded stiffly. Wufei spoke and offered an idea.
We should have some way of staying in contact with each other.
I think there's about a dozen radios in the back of my truck. I'll run and get them.
As Noin ran out, Heero looked at Wufei.
Go with her, just in case.
The Chinese pilot nodded and ran after Noin.
Now that that's taken care of, I think it's about time we issued some hardware. Everyone follow me.
They walked out of the dining room and followed Heero to a hangar-like garage. He led them to the back of his truck and opened the rear cover and tailgate, revealing a simple, wooden crate. Zechs laughed.
So that's where they disappeared to!
I didn't want to go through all the red tape to get them.
Heero explained as he pried the lid off the crate and turned to the group twirling a menacing black pistol on his finger.
These are the Preventer's new Falcon 2 handguns. Simple, light, accurate. Duo, hand these out for me.
Duo handed a gun to everyone while Heero walked to the far end of the garage and set an empty can on the floor. As he came back to the group, he heard Catherine complaining to Trowa.
What am I supposed to do with this? I don't know how to use a gun. I've never even held one before.
Heero grabbed one of the clips from the crate and turned to the group.
Hopefully we won't need to use these, but I'll show you how they work. First, you'll have to load it. Slide the clip into the bottom and pull here to chamber a round.
He demonstrated slowly so everyone could see.
Now I'll show you what these two buttons are for. This one is the safety. It's there so you don't shoot yourself in the foot; it needs to be off for the gun to fire. This button on the grip activates the laser sight. With the laser sight on, what you see is what you get. From there, you just squeeze the trigger.
Heero thumbed the safety off, activated the laser sight, and turned toward the can. A faint red dot appeared on the can before the gun recoiled in his hand. The shot echoed in the cavernous garage as the can flew into the air, hit the ground, and rattled to a stop. Catherine just sighed.
I think I got it, but I'm still glad we're working in pairs.
Heero slid the clip out of the gun and thumbed the safety back on.
That's a good point. When you pair up, make sure one of you knows how to use a gun.
The door behind them opened and Noin and Wufei walked in carrying the radios.
So this is where you guys went. Wufei heard the shot and we came running. Hey! Heero is that a-
Yes! It is! The new Falcon 2!
Wufei jogged over to the truck, set the radios down, and grabbed a gun from the crate. He played with the weight in his hands and aimed at the wall, turning the laser on and off to get a feel for it.
I've been wanting to try one of these, but someone took them from the firing range. How did you get them?
I took them from the firing range.
Wufei's eyes narrowed at Heero, but he smirked and closed his eyes, shaking his head.
I should have known it was you.
Heero shrugged and turned his attention to Relena. She was staring at the floor loosely holding the gun Duo had given her. The look on her face told him that she was tired, but there was something else that bothered him.
*Her eyes are starting to look sad. Damn it! I knew telling her was a bad idea.*
Heero shook his head and rubbed his temples.
Alright. I think it's time we called it a night. Who's gonna take the first watch?
Hilde and I can take one patrol.
Alright, Duo. That's one.
Zechs and I will take one as well. I know I won't be able to sleep anyway.
Are you sure, Noin?
She gave Zechs a nod.
Quatre and I will take the last one.
Heero nodded to Dorothy.
OK. That's three. Wufei, Sally, Catherine, Trowa, you guys get some rest. Switch every couple hours. I don't care how you do it, but no one stays up longer than six hours. Sound good?
Duo took two clips from the crate, putting one into his gun and tucking the other into his pocket.
Sure thing, Heero, but what are you gonna be doin'?
Heero gave him a look that instantly made the braided pilot feel stupid for asking.
Oh, right.
After making sure that everyone had a gun and ammo, Heero handed a radio to one person from each pair. Everyone started silently to their posts or to the bedrooms to get some rest, but Relena stayed behind while Heero made sure everything was locked up. He looked over his shoulder when he heard her shuffle her feet.
I guess you're waiting for me, huh?
She faked a smile.
Can't go anywhere without my protector.
Heero laughed at the thought. It used to be that she chased him around. Now it seemed the roles had been reversed.
Relena stretched her arms and yawned. Seeing how tired she was, Heero took the gun from his back and replaced it in the front of his waistband. He stood with his back to her, leaning over slightly, and looked over his shoulder.
Grab on to my shoulders.
Relena looked at him questioningly, but did as she was told, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. She shrieked as he grabbed her legs, hoisted her onto his back, and started walking toward the door.
You're tired. Let's get you to bed.
She smiled at him.
This is really very nice of you, Heero, but I can still walk.
Don't argue.
Again she did as she was told. As it was, she was too exhausted to argue anyway. She rested her head against his as he carried her down the hall, up the stairs, and into her room. He turned and knelt down in front of the bed so she could sit on the edge. He tried to stand, but Relena still held firmly onto his shoulders.
You can let go now.
Must I?
I'm afraid you're gonna have to.
She reluctantly released her hold on him. He stood and turned to face her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
You go change, OK? I'm going to go check on the others. I'll be right back.
She nodded and Heero left the room, making sure to leave the door slightly open.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing or Perfect Dark. They are copyrighted by people who have a lot more money than I do. This was written for fun and for the fans of the series. All ideas concerning the storyline are mine.
NOTES: Alright! Finally, that Perfect Dark reference. For the uninitiated, Perfect Dark is the greatest first person shooter of all time. Well, certainly for the N64 anyway. If you have an N64 and you haven't played Perfect Dark, you haven't lived. At any rate, the reference is in the name of the gun. The Falcon 2 is Joanna Dark's trusty sidearm, only hers is silver. I made mine black because I wanted to. As you can tell from the end here, Heero's starting to like Relena more and more...yay! Just wait for the next part!
Comments and criticisms are welcome. Please send them to HeeroWZero@hotmail.com and be sure to include your name so I can get back to you. Thanks for reading!