Terrorist
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When a few drops of cold water dripped onto her head, Madeira stirred sleepily, trying to wake up. When an entire bucket of icy water was dumped onto her, she shot up, screaming bloody murder.
She wasn't surprised to see Yuy standing at the side of her bed, a large bucket in his hand. He didn't look too happy, but then again, she wasn't thrilled either.
"What the hell??" She screeched loudly. He pointed to her window, and Madeira gasped in surprise to see the sun low in the sky. It was five thirty in the morning, she'd overslept an hour!!
"It's your second day, Brindisi. This doesn't make you look very good." He said coldly. Biting back the violent words she wanted to call him, she fell back onto her wet pillow with her hand covering her eyes.
"You should take it as a compliment, I haven't worked that hard in years…really wore me out…" She groaned, then sat up and wrung the water from her hair. Yuy smirked.
"I will. Thanks." He said.
"Look, I'll be down there in five minutes, you already saved me a shower…" Madeira eyed him coldly, "I'll just get dressed and I'll be there soon."
An unreadable expression crossed his face, and he stepped away from her bed and turned around. "Not in your drilling uniform, drills have been canceled for today."
"Hn? Why?" She asked, standing up and staggering to her closet, pulling out her white and blue uniform.
"It might be your second day, but you're going on duty today." Yuy said tonelessly. She stared at him questioningly. He stepped toward her door, and spoke in a low monotone. "We have to meet Ms. Darlian downtown. There's been a terrorist bombing."
~*~*~
As the press badgered Relena with questions, Heero kept his furious eyes to the bombing site. He assumed that he should rescue Relena soon from the camera's glare, but at the moment his world was frozen.
One hundred and twenty-six people had died. He shook his head in disbelief again. One hundred and twenty-six innocent civilians. Recovery teams swarmed from place to place, hoping for survivors. Madeira had disappeared into the crowds before he could assign her to any specific duty, and he was keeping his eye out for her.
There was a loud chink and a tin can rolled toward his feet. He looked up into level green eyes, and briefly thought, Speak of the devil.
Madeira stepped toward him, and bent forward to pick up the can she'd kicked at him.
"Brindisi, don't walk off like that." He said lowly. "I'm supposed to assign everyone to something."
She gave him a look. "Don't even think about it. This is my first day on duty, and I'm not even a real guard. Today I'm observing. I want to see how you and Malattia Darlian handle things like this…"
Heero twitched at her cool response. "I see your point, but you should discuss this with me before you run off. And this kind of thing hardly ever happens, so pay close attention."
She grunted, smirking. "And what about the one in Italy?" She questioned.
Heero sighed, shaking his head. "That was an isolated incident. I looked into it. The man was a disgruntled employee, getting revenge for something that company has done. The building was partially empty…but other than five bystanders in addition to you and I, there were no survivors within 100 yards."
Madeira couldn't hide the slight sadness in her eyes, and she really didn't give that much effort into it. "So is this just another isolated incident?"
"I wish it was. But I can tell…it's the start of something larger." And with a bitter glance into the sky, he swore violently. She lifted an eyebrow. Casually she brushed her hair off her shoulder, and peered over Heero's at Relena.
"They are really harassing her over this." She said with a note of sympathy. Heero turned his head, and saw Relena struggling with the questions.
"I told you, this doesn't happen here…and it was huge…so many people died…" His voice slowly became soft. "Come on, let's go rescue her."
Madeira nodded curtly, and kicked the small Pepsi can in the opposite direction.
She got to Relena quickly, leaving behind the distracted ex-pilot to his thoughts. At the moment, one reporter seemed to be getting to Relena the worst of all, so Madeira turned her attention to the woman, who was hardly taller than herself.
The woman had longish dark blue hair, which although it was a color Madeira had never seen before, she found that she rather liked it. It was elegant, somehow.
The woman rotated in her direction, and her silvery gray eyes locked on Madeira. She approached in a manner that reminded Madeira of a lioness...pouncing on her prey...
"Hi, I'm Siriya Kakana from WWN, are you one of the recovery workers?" She asked firmly. "What can you tell us about this incident?"
Madeira paused. "No, I am not. I am one of Relena Darlian's bodyguards, and I am not at liberty to speak of it." She answered stiffly. Siriya sighed.
"Damn...I'll never get my story." She said soulfully. The reporter eyed Madeira for another minute. "Don't I know you?" She puzzled.
Madeira shook her head doubtfully. "I don't think so, Mrs. Kakana."
"Its Miss, and call me Siriya." She continued to study Madeira. "What's your name? I never forget a name."
"It's Madeira." Was the short reply. Siriya snapped her fingers and her face lit up with recognition.
"Yes! I knew it! Madeira Brindisi! Don't you remember me?"
Bewildered completely, Madeira uttered a small, "No."
"Three years ago I went to Italy and I did a special on your family! I interviewed you! What are you doing here?"
Madeira dug through the library of her mind, trying to place Siriya. And then it came to her.
~
"So your uncle doesn't mind you training like this?"
"My uncle knows talent when he sees it."
~
"My God!" Madeira marveled. "Yes, I remember you!"
Siriya smiled. "So all that training is finally being put to use?"
The ebony-haired woman nodded, "Yes, I've been assigned here."
Madeira had the intention to continue talking with Siriya, but an angry growl behind her jerked her around to face an angry Heero Yuy.
"Talking to the press?!" He seethed. Madeira was appalled.
"No!" She said heatedly. "I know this woman, we were not talking about the bombing!"
Instinct kicked in for Siriya, however, and she pounced upon Heero with her questions.
"Get away from here..." Heero spat, "or you will be arrested."
Siriya snapped away from him with a grunt. "Fine. Thank you for your time." She stepped away, mumbling a goodbye to Madeira.
Siriya was hardly out of hearing range when Heero turned on Madeira, his mouth full of angry words. My God, it's hardly 8 A.M. and we've already grated each other's nerves practically to the breaking point! Is that even possible? Madeira thought with amusement, although the thought annoyed her.
"Don't ever talk to the press about things that go on in this department!" He hissed.
"What makes you think that?!" The woman retorted icily. "For your information, I know that woman. We spoke of nothing important. Yuy, sometimes I think you go out of your way to pick a fight with me about something." Then she took a step back, surprised at her own sudden outburst. She hadn't intended to say that.
Heero regarded her sourly. "Well, maybe you have something there, Brindisi." He said quietly after a deadly silence. "Admit it, though. You try just as hard to annoy me."
She glowered at him. "Just returning the favor, sir."
Heero was about to return with yet another cold, sardonic comment when Relena let out a small shriek, nothing to alarm him but he quickly twisted around.
Relena was hugging a much taller man, with a familiar head of brilliant platinum hair. "Zechs." Heero commented to himself. He was somewhat pleased to see the affection between the two siblings grow over the years, when it had started so emptily.
Zechs lifted his head from his sister's shoulder and glanced at Heero and Madeira who stood near him. He nodded slightly, a greeting to his old rival, and Heero returned the gesture.
"Who's that?" Madeira asked.
"Ms. Darlian's brother. He's in charge of Unit 2. His name is Milliardo, but mostly everyone, including myself, calls him Zechs." Heero informed her simply. At the same time, they began walking toward Zechs and Relena, who had parted and were talking in quiet voices.
"Hey Zechs, welcome back." Heero said casually.
"Thanks Heero," Zechs returned, "I came back as soon as I could, Noin went back to the HQ. Wufei will be back tonight with Sally."
"All right." Heero nodded, and noticed Zechs looking at Madeira. "This is Madeira Brindisi, a new recruit." He introduced her.
Zechs extended his hand toward the young woman practically a foot shorter than him, and she shook it. The subject quickly turned to back to more important matters.
"What can we do?" Relena asked softly. "You were right to be worried, Heero."
Heero made a face, wishing she hadn't used that choice of words. Both Zechs and Madeira were smirking ever so slightly.
"I feel like such a fool…" Relena sighed, "Oh yes, double security around me while my people are defenseless! What's wrong with me?!"
"Relena!" Heero said savagely, "Don't start talking like that! We can't have you falling apart at the seams-- this is crucial and we need you."
Feeling stunned by Heero's outburst, she silenced, then sighed again. She felt Zechs place his hand on her shoulder, comforting her, and she saw a compassionate twinkle in the bright jade of Madeira's eyes.
"He's right, Relena." Zechs said, "We'll send the solders out here…but you still need to be protected."
"A country needs its leader to be strong, and they will look to you for guidance and feel protected." Madeira said placidly. "So do that, protect your people as your first priority…but make sure you stay alive to keep them protected."
Relena looked to her, a kind expression written upon her face. She had been feeling awkward about Madeira (yesterday hadn't helped)…and suddenly some of the doubts in her mind had lessened. Maybe Madeira won't be as difficult as I thought.
"Thank you, Madeira," The woman said, smiling faintly. Madeira nodded. Heero and Zechs both looked at her, but said nothing.
"We'll call everyone here…" Heero said suddenly, "And we'll come up with something."
As looks of agreement came over the faces of Relena, Heero and Zechs, Madeira wondered, Who is 'everyone'?
~*~*~
There had been no further terrorist activity for three weeks, and Heero nervously wondered what TO-U was planning.
Arrangements for a meeting had been set for this afternoon, and everyone was coming. Madeira was done with her basic training, and although she was one of Relena's bodyguards, she was not allowed into the meeting. How useful would she be in a room full of ex-Gundam pilots and Oz soldiers?
She hadn't been too happy about it, which hadn't surprised him.
~
"What do you mean?!" She gaped. "Why can't I?"
"It's a private meeting, Brindisi. I'll fill you in on all necessary information, but other than that it's confidential."
"But I'm Malattia's guard, too! I should be there!" She looked so rebellious…her hands on her hips and a wild look in her eyes.
"You aren't needed!" He said fiercely, "Listen to me, dammit! I'm still your senior officer! You have no right to question my decision!"
Madeira paused, fuming. He could tell she was fighting some internal battle. He could see decisions dancing around in her eyes. In a way all too familiar, she saluted him coldly. "Yes, sir. Excuse me."
And with that, she left.
~
He'd been surprised at that…very surprised. Was she learning to give him respect? He doubted it. God she's strange. Heero thought oddly.
He quietly stalked through the halls of the HQ, occasionally looking out of the windows at the driveway, hoping to see his friends soon.
Heero now found it peculiar that he thought of them that way…how the years had changed him and his way of thinking. And they were his friends, the best anyone could have.
Again he looked out a window. He could see a few workers standing around a chosen section of grass out there.
Three days after the bombing, Relena planned to have a memorial service that would take place in about a month, the reason for the wait was because she was also building a memorial statue with all names of the casualties engraved into the beautiful marble.
A car pulled into the driveway and parked. Heero waited to see who would emerge.
Sunlight struck a short young man's pale blond hair, and Heero smiled faintly. The angelic looks of Quatre Raberba Winner had not left him, but they'd shifted into something stronger and more adult…but still soft and angelic.
Heero stepped out the door quickly, and met up with Quatre outside his car. Quatre's face lit up with excitement. "Heero!" He said happily. Again smiling, Heero extended his hand out, only to be completely ignored as Quatre hugged him.
Thoroughly stunned, Heero awkwardly patted Quatre's back until the shorter man had released him. "Sorry," Quatre said bashfully. "I've just missed you."
"I know...its okay." Heero said kindly.
"Save some of that action for me, Q." A woman's voice teased. Heero turned around, wondering what it was, and when he laid his eyes on the woman, he welled with anger.
"You!" He spat at Siriya. "What are you doing here?!"
"It's nice to see you, too." She said dryly.
"Quatre, why the hell did you bring a reporter here?"
Quatre stared at him blankly. "Heero....she's not here to do a story or anything...she's my girlfriend." The young multi-millionaire said gently.
"What?!" He gaped. Siriya nodded.
"Listen, man, I was just doing my job. But that's not what I'm here for, I just came to be with Quatre." Siriya said in her defense. Heero looked at them both. God, I'm making a fool out of myself more and more often! He scolded himself.
"Okay...fine..." And he tried to shrug his mixed shock and anger away. "How'd you meet?"
"Last year." Quatre said happily. "When Winner Co. funded a college on L4. She was the reporter who interviewed me about it."
"Oh...that's nice." Heero responded, not really knowing what to say.
"Is anyone here yet?" Quatre asked, diverting the conversation away from Siriya with a light flush on his cheeks.
"You're first, come on in." He turned to Siriya. "But you can't come to the meeting. Go find Brindisi or something."
Siriya made a face but agreed. She kissed Quatre on the cheek and walked off, the sun hitting her dark blue hair and making it shimmer.
Quatre breathed deeply and took in the sight of the glorious Sanq Kingdom. "Wow. I haven't been here in so long." He sighed.
"Don't forget why you're here." Heero warned him, and the blonde man nodded.
"Don't worry, I remember." He assured his friend. And he sighed. "Allah…I wish that just once, we can have a reunion that has nothing to do with war."
~*~*~
Madeira walked through the halls of the HQ, proudly wearing her Imperial blue and white uniform, and taking her ID card just in case she got caught somewhere. She was on duty, and she was merely on watch of the corridors in the east of the building. It was boring, but as least she would only have to until the meeting was over.
She'd had her first morning off, but all she'd done was go shopping quickly for some clothes. All she'd needed was some boots and jeans, however, she somehow ended up with a pastel green shirt that said "Care to Dance?" in curvy letters. Why she'd bought it, she had no clue in hell. And she also had a few hairpins to hold her thick hair up so that it would no longer be an annoyance for her.
She looked out the window and saw that several cars had parked out front. Madeira sighed. She wanted to go to the meeting! Slowly she was making her way past the conference room door.
She stopped at the door, staring at it in sudden bewilderment. But after a moment, she moved on, wondering why she'd heard someone say, "The God of Death will forgive you for that…now gimmie a hug, Wu-man."
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Review?! Please?! ::holds up a chibi Heero:: Heero wants you to!