A trap. I knew it. These men had trapped me, and now I was theirs. I remember running as fast as my legs could take me. I bead of sweat trickled down my forehead and into my eye, leaving a burning feeling that I had no choice but to ignore. My heart was beating faster than it had ever beaten, I suppose. Their were times that were tough, but not as tough as this. I was running and then, bam! Wrong turn. There must have been at least fifty men in white coats, all staring at me with an unbelievable intensity in their eyes. I knew I couldn't run, they all had guns. I felt like yelling out at the top of my lungs. But I couldn't say anything. My throat was so dry I swear I could taste blood from the inside of my mouth cracking. One of the men walked up to me, and I raised my hands over my head.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Duo yelled, slamming his fists against Heero's computer desk. The computer went blank, and then flashed back on again, the same message blinking over and over again. Wufei felt faint and grabbed the back of the computer chair. His breath was now coming in heavy gasps for air, like he was trying to resist crying. The door creaked open, and Trowa stepped in, shirtless and his hair tousled about everywhere.
"What's going on?" He asked, rubbing his eyes. He saw panic on Duo and Wufei's faces and Trowa felt himself stop breathing for a moment.
"What's happened to Heero?" He asked, trying to keep his surging voice calm.
Duo simply lifted his index finger and pointed it towards the computer screen, still blinking with the message that Duo hoped would just disappear. Trowa walked over to the computer slowly, leaned over, supporting his weight with one hand on the computer desk, and read the message. And then he read it again, and again, and he blinked, forcing his eyes to make it go away, to make..the pain..go away. Wufei saw Trowa start to loose balance and placed a hand on the man's shoulder.
"Heero's in trouble." Trowa said, his voice coming out in short breaths.
Duo and Wufei found that quite obvious, and started muttering things to themselves, curses or otherwise. Trowa stood up straight, trying to steady himself. Then he walked towards the door.
"Get your walkie-talkies ready, I'm going after Heero." Trowa said, in a tone that no one would argue with him, but it didn't work.
"No way you're going alone." Duo said, standing up. Trowa glared at him.
"We can't risk all of us being captured, Duo. You and Wufei and Quatre stay here. If I need backup I'll call for you." Trowa said, turning his back on Duo and Wufei.
"What if you can't call us for backup?" Duo asked. He raised his voice, "What if you can't call us for backup because you're in trouble Trowa!"
Wufei sighed and nodded in agreement. Trowa walked over to them.
"Just stay here, I'll find Heero and I'll come back with him, I promise." Trowa said, his expression softening.
The anger in Duo's face vanished. It turned scared, worried...alone.
"But what if....Heero's.." Duo couldn't finish his sentence, he looked at the ground and sounded like he was trying to keep from crying.
The friendship he and Heero had was irreplaceable, if he ever lost Heero, his life would change forever. Guilt and anger spread through Duo's lost soul. Visions of him and Heero working together during the Marimeia incident flashed through his mind. Heero punching him, and saying, "Don't think ill of me," came to him. He remembered meeting up with Heero after the Marimeia incident.
Flashback: Duo pranced down the street with a big, goofy smile on his face and approached the Newly Built Peacecraft Mansion. The thing was huge. Heero sure knew how to find quality places to stay when he had no home. Duo scanned the house with his wide eyes and thought.
"Heero's staying here?"
Suddenly, a bit of movement caught his eye. On the huge patio of the house sat Heero Yuy and Relena Peacecraft at a small table drinking lemonade.
"I hate it when I'm right." Duo snickered, and made his way to the patio.
"Duo!" Relena yelled, totally caught of guard. She prickly spilled her lemonade.
"Oi Relena-sama!' Duo yelled, jogging up to the small table.
Heero gave him the usual "glare of death" and gestured for him to sit down, still unsure. Duo accepted his offer and took the seat between the two of them.
"So Duo, what brought on this pleasant surprise?" Relena asked cheerfully.
"What are you doing here, baka?" Heero snarled.
Duo grinned at him.
"Trowa and I bought a place south from here." He paused. "We're looking for the other gundam pilots, Trowa's in China meeting with Wufei right now, and Quatre said he's coming in a few months. It's not a permanent thing, but the five of us never really got to talk, you know..hear opinions, and if we're living in the same place..well..I'm sure that would make talking easier, ne?" He asked, making direct eye contact with his cold hearted comrade.
Heero scowled, then looked thoughtful. He looked at Relena and was sure she wanted him to stay.
"I don't know, Duo." Heero said, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
"Dat's what I thought you'd say, pal, you are a little too predictable!" Duo exclaimed.
"Well, what difference would it make if I was there?" Heero asked.
Duo raised an eyebrow. Heero asking questions? Heero asking..personal..questions? Maybe he had gained a little humanity sense the beginning of the war.
"Heero buddy!" Duo yelled, throwing an arm around Heero's shoulder. Relena sighed and Heero gave Duo the glare of death.
"What do you mean what difference would it make? It would make all the difference! Your like our leader! You, my friend, are the heart of outer space visiting Earth! Plus, I feel I can talk to you the most cuz' you don't talk back!" Duo yelled, laughing at his own joke.
Then the unexpected happened. Both Duo and Relena saw Heero's mouth twitch into a small grin.
"Thanks, Duo." Heero said, then his smile faded.
End of flashback:
Duo's memories were interrupted when he heard the front door open and close. Duo lifted his head up to see that Trowa had left the room, or rather, left the house. Wufei was still gripping the back of the computer chair, and he sighed deeply.
"How is Trowa gonna find Heero, Wu man?" Duo asked, his voice completely invaded by fear.
Wufei sighed again. Trowa would find Heero, he knew that. Trowa always finds ways. He's even more mysterious than Heero is. But what about his mission tomorrow? Trowa had to complete his missions. The mission probably had something to do with Heero's mission, Wufei could just sense it. Or perhaps, yes, saving Heero was more important to Trowa than completing a mission. Trowa had a heart now. And he wasn't going to waste it.
"Well, you know Trowa, he finds ways." Wufei said. He received an annoyed glance from Duo but ignored it. Too much to think about besides Duo being annoyed at him.
Wufei made his way to the door and Duo watched him until he was
out of sight. Duo's emotions took control of him and he bowed his
head. A single tear drop dripped onto the floor.