"Duo, could you pass me that towel?" Flame called out from the cockpit of Thunder. Her face and hands were streaked with oil. Other than that, she was fine. She wiped her hands off, diligently.
He knew she was tough (in a feminine sort of way), but he was surprised that a woman knew that much about mechanics. But then again, it made sense. She'd have to. Flame, Quatre and himself, along with the Maganacs had been tinkering on all five Gundams for an hour. So far, they'd replaced the ammunition in Heavyarms, almost completely rebuilt Shenlong's Dragon Staff, and Wing's self-destruct system had been deleted (thanks to a certain overprotective woman).
Flame was putting a few "bandages" on her Thunder. She surveyed the docile mobile suit. It had been dented several times by gunfire, flying debris and crashing into Deathscythe after impact. She and Quatre had been able to pop most of the dents back into place. Duo and the blonde were sitting on the entrance with their legs dangling. Flame was busily playing with her computers and a few other little things to make her ride more comfortable. The two boys served as her helpers.
She stood up and brushed her hands across her sweaty brow. "Help me out." They lifted her out of the Gundam. She sat next to them and reached back into the cooler behind her. She grabbed two beers and water. She passed the drinks to their appropriate owners. "Here's to the success of our mission tomorrow." They chinked bottles and drank.
After a long gulp, Quatre called out to a large Arabian, supposedly the leader of the group. "Rashid, are you finished with Shenlong yet."
"We are very close to finishing, Master Quatre. I suggest that you, Duo and the young lady find some sleep. You all have a long day ahead of you."
"With all due respect, sir," Flame called out, "correct me if I'm wrong but, isn't every fighter's night have a long day following it."
Rashid began to chuckle a bit. "I can see why the three of you get along so well." He turned to Quatre. "She's got an intelligent sense of humor. You need some of that."
"So I'm not intelligent?" Duo asked.
"Should he answer that, or should he just glare?" Flame retorted. He stuck his tongue out at her. "Come on you two. Don't let good advice go to waste. I've only got one or two things to finish up. You two are gonna have mile wide circles under your eyes if you don't go to sleep now." Duo eagerly jumped down and headed for the door at the invitation. He stopped short after noticing that his Arabian companion wasn't behind him.
"I'm staying up just a little longer. To see if Rashid or Flame need any help," Quatre said. Duo shrugged and bounced off, braid trailing behind. Quatre turned back to Flame. She had jumped back into her cockpit, continuing to tinker. He gazed down and admired her broad, clean shoulders, thin waist and her firm leather-clad butt.
He knew what he had to say, but he felt like such an ass for doing it. Here goes nothing. "Uh, Flame … could I talk to you for a minute."
"Sure thing Quat. What's up?"
"Every since you walked into that house, introducing yourself as another Gundam pilot I…" he stopped. Oh God. So what am I supposed to say? 'Your pretty and I've liked you the first time your voice rang out.' I sound like such a sap! "I … like you." There, I said it. "I really like you. You're pretty, smart, courageous, and … yeah." He hung his head sheepishly.
Her eyes caught his and held them. She hauled herself out of the Gundam and sat down next to him. She raised his chin and smiled warmly. "I'm very flattered. You're a really nice young man. And I mean it. But-"
"But I'm not interesting enough. I understand totally. Forget it, it was stupid anyway. I shouldn't have said anything."
"That is the biggest crock of bullshit I've ever heard! You're far from being uninteresting! And the fact that you told me how you feel is far from stupid. I think it was rather brave and gentlemanly." She was rewarded by a half-hearted smile from the crestfallen boy. "I just don't share the same feelings for you." She became lost in her thoughts. "I don't think I could ever be with anyone until this whole damned war ended."
Quatre looked up at her with a confused look on his face. "Why couldn't you? If anything, a boyfriend could give you something to fight for."
She dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "It has something to do with the way I was trained. It's a long, boring story."
"I'm tired, so make me sleep. I'm nosy."
She took a deep breath and exhaled. "You'd probably like to hear my life's story from the beginning, because that's the only logical thing to do. I was born on the moon; I don't know what my ethnic background is. My parents, an older brother and I lived there for a year in peace and very content. Then OZ attacked our colony on the moon. My parents were killed. My brother, who was about eleven at the time, took me and fled to India.
"There we lived as outsiders, not communicating with the people of our village. We were almost labeled as 'untouchables.' My brother and I tried to create a rebellious movement there, but we lived in a pacifistic area. They wanted nothing to do with us. My brother taught me, since I was five, the art of war. We would train day in and day out. He honed my hunting instincts, especially those used for tracking. Given the opportunity I could find a straight Gundam pilot in the yaoi fics [sorry, writer's personal happy. I leave you to the rest of the fic].
"When I was nine, my brother gave me a trained peregrine falcon. I named it Thunder, hence my Gundam's name. I had it for about a year. One day I was standing on the edge of a canyon, watching Thunder swoop down and catch fish in a creek below. Meanwhile in town, some OZ officers had stopped temporarily for some rest and relaxation. They had heard a rumor about a pair of reckless rebels living close by. So while I was out with my falcon, a lieutenant apprehended me. As he was coming up from the canyon, the officer drew a gun and fired. Thunder fell into the creek with a splash and that was the last time I saw him. Before he left, I remember him saying, 'That'll teach you scum to obey what you're told.' "
Flame paused for a moment. "You know, I've never cried in my whole life. I'm sure I did when I was little, but once I had an understanding of how the world worked, I couldn't. And I think my brother would have smacked me across the head. Don't get me wrong, he loved me. He just didn't want to see the same thing that happened to mom and dad happen to me.
"Anyway, I had my training stepped up more. I had so much reason to hate the OZ Federation that I had begun to conceive revenge when I was eleven. I was able to play out my revenge a year later.
"Because I was well developed and looked fifteen, sixteen by the time I was twelve, I was able to play with a certain weakness of men. I worked in many interesting places as many interesting things. The most 'memorable' job I had was a stripper. And I actually stooped as low as a prostitute." She noticed the utterly disgusted look on Quatre's face. "No, it's not what you think. I might have had to lay naked with them but I never slept with them. I refused to do that. I'd just get them drunk enough to have them tell me what I needed to know, and then I'd kill them."
Quatre thought about everything he had just heard. He started getting really angry. This war had turned a beautiful, young woman into a hard, cold-blooded killer. Like the rest of them, it had stolen her delicate innocence. "I'm sure your wonderful, loving brother didn't have anything to do with this either."
"He didn't. He suggested it; I accepted my mission. Besides, if I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have been able to find the mobile suits to battle with.
"One night, I was able to get a colonel to spill about a big time attack on the Cinq Kingdom. I disposed of him, and rushed home to my brother to share the news. We climbed into the suits and took off. The battle must have lasted for about an hour. Although there was only two of us, we were able to hold our own. I figured we had it won. But something went wrong. The suit my brother was in exploded. My anger climaxed and was finally let out. I took out the remaining troops out by myself.
"When I was finished, I landed to go find my brother, praying he was still alive. But it was too late. I don't remember much, just the blood. Blood everywhere. On my hands, my clothes, his face. There was only blood.
"My definition of vengeance was totally changed. I left my home and traveled around India, Arabia and their colonies. I wanted nothing more then to kill Romerfeller, OZ and their supporters. When I turned fifteen Dr. J found me. He had seen the damage I could do, and he wanted to 'employ' me. He offered me a Gundam, some new training and the opportunity to destroy Treize Khushrenada." Quatre looked her questioningly. "Trieze killed both my parents and my brother."
"I'm sorry, Flame. I really am. I couldn't have imagined that you went through all of … that." He placed a hand over hers. There was a moment of silence before Quatre decided to speak again. "Not that it's any of my business but, I've noticed the way Duo looks at you. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you kinda like him too."
Flame's eyes grew by five sizes. "I admit that Maxwell is a little … attractive. But I can't date anyone."
"You feel that anyone who has ever cared about you dies, and you don't want the same fate for Duo. Am I right?"
Flame was silent. He knows me better than I know myself. " I … uh … guess so. No, that's not it. My brother forbade me from ever dating."
"But, and excuse me for being morbid, isn't your brother dead?"
"Call it respecting his memory."
He smiled understandingly. Then he kissed her cheek. "Just remember, you and Duo face the same kind or horrors. He's already condemned." With that, he slid off the Gundam, leaving a very confused Flame in the pail light.
*********************************
Flame walked through the doorway to her room in a daze. She was thinking about the advice Quatre had given her. And the scariest part was, it made a lot of sense. She was terrified of losing someone again. She couldn't handle it.
She decided she was too tense to sleep so she sat down next to the fire. The warmth kissed her skin with a hard reality she didn't want to face. She had feelings for Duo Maxwell, her comrade, and her friend. And there was a possibility that he had feelings for her. Why are you doing this to me?
Flame was startled by the creaking of her door. She grabbed the dagger in her boot and spun around, ready to throw the knife. She was face to face with Duo. "You're only a little tense," he said, almost mocking her.
Flustered, she quickly placed it back into her bootleg. "I'm always a little edgy just before bed. Speaking of which, I thought you were going to sleep."
"I got a sudden case of insomnia. So I thought a little. And then I heard you come in."
"Oh … okay."
"My God you're tense!" He could see her muscle strain outlined in the firelight. He walked towards her. Duo placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I feel a little awkward asking this but, do you want a massage?"
She was a little taken back. "S-sure." He led her to the bed, where she removed her coat and took a seat. He sat behind her, facing the fire. Duo cleared his throat, and gathered her hair in his hand and brushed it out of the way, exposing her soft neck. She's so perfect. An angel and the Shinigami. Nah, I can't be that lucky.
He placed his hands over her shoulders and began rubbing her muscles. Duo could feel her relax under his touch. "Why are you a soldier? You could've made it as a masseuse," she offered.
"Are you comfortable?"
"Mmmhmm." He's really strong. I shouldn't let him do this. But I feel so safe. He carefully made his way down her arms, then around and on her back. He's being cautious. And he's so gentle. She felt the bed sink and heard him slide closer to her. She held her breath. Flame could almost feel herself trembling.
Suddenly he stopped. He removed his hands from her person, but still sat on the bed. She was about to turn around when she felt warm breath against her neck. She quietly gasped so he wouldn't hear her. Duo nuzzled the back of her neck with the end of his nose. This isn't right, this isn't right, this is … heaven. He made his was down to the middle of her back
She felt something warm, slick and wet tracing the calligraphy of her tattoo. Oh God, Duo. Please don't stop. She gasped and reached behind her to pull Duo closer to her. Wait, this is wrong. Very reluctantly, she turned around and looked at him sympathetically. "Duo, I can't…" she stroked his cheek with her fingers.
"I understand," he whispered.
"It's not you," she tried to reassure him. "I can't … my duty as a pilot isn't over. When it is … well, I'll leave that to fate." She smiled to try to cheer him up. "Duo I -" Flame was silenced by two of Duo's fingers covering her lips. He leaned forward, and she received her second kiss that night in the same place. The first had been out of friendship. The second, out of love?
Duo took his leave. Before he escaped he managed to say, "Goodnight. Sweet dreams." She shut the door behind him and leaned on the door. Frustration filled within her and she grabbed the dagger still hiding in her boot. She threw it without aiming and managed to land it in the headboard. She slammed her fist against the door. "FUCK!"
***************************
It was the next day, and the Gundams were in full swing again. They had made up for their "dishonorable" (in the words of Wufei) loss. They were whooping some major ass. Flame and Duo were fighting side by side again. And he had later pronounced his undying love to her previous and said after this win, he would take her away from all of this to live with her.
But suddenly, when everything seemed perfect, she heard a scream mixed with an explosion. She turned to see Deathscythe diminish into nothing. All around her, the Gundams were being shot down. And for whatever reason, she couldn't move or speak. She couldn't do anything to save them.
Then she saw he brother's face appear before her. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I tried to save you, save them!" She was close to hysterics, not tears.
"Well obviously you weren't trying hard enough! You don't love them enough to save them. You don't love Duo!" the figure accused her. She screamed.
"No … Duo I won't … let you … die. No, I won't. I won't!!" She screamed again. It couldn't go unnoticed this time. Her fellow pilots rushed in awaken by her screams for help. Quatre bent down and shook her slightly.
"Flame? Come on wake up. You're dreaming." She sat straight up, screaming. She began gasping for air. He hair fell in uncombed strands about her head. She looked around her at the pairs of eyes that were upon her. "Flame? It's Quatre. You had a nightmare. Are you okay?"
The girl drew her knees up to her chest in response. She rocked back and forth, clutching the corner of the comforter. Quatre stood up. Wufei took his place. "Onna … I mean, Flame? What happened in your dream?"
She swallowed hard. Flame opened her mouth, but she found it almost impossible to speak through that lump in her throat. But she was soon able to find sound. "We were fighting, and it was going good. But then everyone died. I don't know how. I couldn't … couldn't stop it." She could fear her eyes stinging. Please not now. They'll all think I'm weak. However, they came swiftly and abruptly.
She averted her eyes from Wufei's. "I'm crying. I guess that makes me weaker," she said between sobs.
He shook his head. "No. If anything, that makes you even more of a man than I." He politely brushed a tear from her face. He spied a handkerchief laying on a nearby nightstand. He picked it up and offered her the courtesy, which she gladly accepted. Still huddled up in a tight ball, she held the satin cloth to her face willing her tears to stop.
She glanced over and saw something she thought she'd never see before. At least when he was sober, or not loopy from pain. Wufei grinning at her. It was a whole-hearted honest grin. She smiled in return. Then he left. He sleepily grumbled 'goodnight' to all of his comrades.
Quatre did the same, assured she'd be all right after she calmed down. But first he'd get her a cup of tea to opiate her nerves. He left the stage to Heero, Trowa and Duo. That makes for good conversation. Two stone cold statues and one lovesick puppy.
As predicted, Trowa and Heero didn't say much of anything. Trowa did, however, try to maintain some consolation for the terrified girl. Well, the 'perfect soldier' didn't seem willing to say anything, and Duo was standing in the corner brooding. Trowa held his own until Quatre returned with a steaming cup of tea. Trowa took his cue, waved, and left.
Quatre set the cup on the nightstand, and lit the candle in a library lamp. "There you have it. Tea, freshly brewed. Can I get you anything else?"
"N-n-no. I'm f-fine. Really I am."
Quatre smiled and led Heero out the door. "Sleep well," Heero said gruffly. "And thank you for this afternoon."
"Your welcome." Then the door was shut behind them. She was left alone in a room with Duo Maxwell. "You know, you don't have to stay up."
"But I chose to. That should be enough. I'm not going to ask you about your dream, because that'll just make you even more upset. So I'll just sit here with you and make sure you drop back off to sleep." He handed her the cup. "You should try this. It'll help you relax."
She held the cup in her hands, sucking up the warmth. The tears started flowing again when she remembered what happened to Duo. "It was horrible. You died next to me. I could have saved you but -"
"But nothing. It was a dream." He beamed that cheesy grin of his. "Besides, you don't have to worry about me! I'm the Shinigami!" He wiped the rest of her tears away from her eyes with his thumb. "I thought Flame was all big and bad. Nothing could touch her. No emotion could get to her to make her cry for anyone. I guess you're human after all." He watched her intently as she sipped the contents of the cup.
When she was finished he took the cup from her and forced her to lie down. "So are you my friend or my mother?" she asked, slightly peeved.
"Can't really tell ya. Consider me an overly concerned friend. Now get some sleep. I'll be right here if you need anything. I command you to go to sleep!"
Flame had to admit that the blankets were really warm … and soft … and comforting. She rolled on her side, still facing the braided boy of her dreams, and tucked the blanket under her exposed arm. Duo moved himself so he was sitting on the bed next to her. He tenderly ran his fingers across her bare arm. "Goodnight, Flame."
"Thank you," Flame whispered before sleep enveloped her. The smile on her face eased Duo's nerves enough to let him sleep a little bit more before the morning.
***********************************
"Flame, can you back me up?!!! It'd be real helpful about now!" Duo screamed. "Quatre and I need time to get inside. Fei, some assistance from you would be nice too!"
"Only if you ask politely," Flame retorted sarcastically. Thunder made a beeline to help Duo. She whipped out Thunder's staff and swung it around in all directions. Within the span of a few seconds, she had wiped out approximately twenty mobile dolls and watched them explode with pleasure. She turned to Duo with a smirk. "Happy?"
"Thanks," he grumbled back. He glanced around and saw an opening for he and Quatre to make his attack. "Let's go, Q-man!"
"Wait a minute!" Flame demanded. "What do you and Quat have to do? What's the plan?"
"You stay here and watch our backs. Duo and I are going after Trieze and destroying the base."
"Excuse me? You two are going after the dickless bastard that killed my family, finally ending his life and you want me to stay behind! I don't think so."
"Please," Quatre asked pleadingly, "just stay here and help the others." Sandrock and Deathscythe turned and started for the entrance to the door. Flame felt her face get red and clenched her fists. She pulled down her main computer console. Her fingers began flying away furiously. There ain't no way you're going to deny me of this. In time, she was able to hack into both Quatre and Duo's Gundam's systems.
After a little tweaking, she was able to lock up all mechanisms. The only thing they could do was operate their trigger fingers, just for defense. With a proud smile, she sped forward. Flame glanced over at her betrayed comrades. "Sorry boys, this fight is mine."
Duo watched in a mix or horror and defeat as the girl he loved flew into what was surly a suicide mission. He tried to call her over the intercom, getting nothing but static. He slammed his fist down on the control panel and hung his head. "Flame, don't kill yourself. Come back safe to me."
Getting through the mecha-made shield was cake. Parking Thunder in an inconspicuous spot: simple. Knocking out two officers and hacking into the base's computer systems to find Khushrenada's room took only moments. The hard part was trying to find her way around the base to find his damn room (which, of course, had to be "conveniently" placed on the complete opposite of where she was. Kisama).
From one of the officers quarters, she was able to find a cap and long trench coat. It was large enough that, when buttoned up and the collar was folded up, it covered her entire apparel and face. And the cap covered the top of her head. She quickly glanced in the mirror to look herself over then bolted out the door.
A dark, deserted hallway met her. The only light provided was that coming from the flashing red emergency light. An announcement suddenly rang out over the PA system. "Men, arm yourselves. We have reason to believe that there is an intruder. Consider him armed and dangerous."
Flame had never met the owner of the voice, but she knew all to well who it was. "The sound of my enemy. The sound of his screams of pain will be a symphony to my ears." She growled and charged down the end of the hall. She stopped at the corner and glanced around to check for the clear. Then an idea struck her. Wait, if Trieze made that announcement, he can't still be in his room. The only control room that's close enough to his room and large enough to have a base wide pager is … she looked around frantically for a map. "It's gotta be here. On the wall or something."
After not finding anything, she sourly shoved her hands in the coat pockets. Something brushed against her hand. She wrapped her fist around the object and pulled it out. It was a folded map of the entire base. She chuckled quietly. "Only in space. Where else would you find a map in the coat you had only just stolen?" Her mind didn't linger on the question to make an impact. She had more important things to wrack her brain with.
The thought that she could get captured, tortured or even killed didn't even faze her. She just stampeded down a bunch or corridors. She pulled her pistol from its holster on her hip and gripped it securely. She had pulled it out and looked up just in time to see a tall, masculine outline step out of a doorway.
Flame stopped running, skidded a few feet and stealthily crept towards the unknowing stranger. When they had past the entrance the stranger had just exited and turned the corner, she leapt upon him. She got him in a bear hug and wrestled him to the ground. When she had got him down on the floor, facing the ceiling, she straddled his chest. To make sure he couldn't attack her, she place her knees in the crook of his elbows, pushing down hard. She pointed the barrel of the gun at his forehead. "Where is Trieze Khushrenada?" she whispered, quietly so she wouldn't be heard by other soldiers, but demanding enough to let him know she meant business.
"Congratulations young lady. You're sitting on him," he said with an almost mocking tone. Flame moved him into a better light and realized that her prisoner had not been bluffing. She had not personally seen his face, but she had watched the news and read reports about the OZ Specials. True, he was quite attractive. And his almost eighteenth century style clothing was a bit of a turn on. But sexuality wasn't going to penetrate the hatred that was seemingly radiating off Flame at this moment.
Trieze looked up at her curiously. "Why would you be looking for me, little girl?" He reached over and stroked her legs with his fingertips. Flame growled and smacked him across the face with the gun barrel. Then she resumed her position.
"I am not a little girl anymore." She sneered at him over the outstretched gun.
He stared at her breasts hungrily. He licked his top lip. "As I see." Flame punched him with great force, grinned when he groaned and slowly stood up. She stepped over him and hovered over his crotch. She lifted her booted foot and came down upon his nether regions with even greater force. She ground the heel deep into his skin and pushed down harder. Then she paused for a minute, as if thinking. "Well I know you are. A little girl I mean. You're packing close to nothing."
Flame removed her foot and pointed the gun once more at Trieze. "Get up." Still whining in pain, he stood up slowly. When he was on his feet, she searched him for weapons or something that would make her position stickier. In finding nothing, she glared at Trieze. "Show me to your quarters. And if you say anything perverted directed to me I will make sure there will never be a Khushrenada Jr. Got it?"
With that smart-ass smirk of his, he nodded and began walking down the hall. Trieze's quarters were only a few hallways away. When they got within the room, she threw him though the door and slammed it shut. "So, Trieze, do you know who I am?"
"Duo, you've got to at least give her time!" Quatre said. "If she chooses to go after Trieze, you know that there is no way in hell you're going to stop her. If you want to protect her, guard the base. Make sure no one else comes in or out."
Duo agreed, and began swiping every mobile doll passing by his line of vision. His movement became more and more violent. Quatre and the other pilots could hear his screams of fury. A new group of mobile dolls filed out of the colony. They were merely target practice for the pissed Shinigami.
The other pilots considered this battle won. The mobile doll units were almost down to nothing, Flame had gone off to kill Trieze, and Duo was scarring the living shit out of the live troops that were out on the battlefield. But out of nowhere, a very large buster cannon poked its ugly head out of the colony's walls. It began firing. Soon, it hit Heavyarms, wounding it.
"No, why should I?" Trieze answered in aristocratic tone. He stalked over to a small table where a crystal jug of port and glass had been set out for him. He poured the liquid into the glass and drank from it gingerly.
Flame watched him intensely. She squared her shoulders. "I thought you were a man who would remember his most innocent of victims," she began. "Do you remember a couple? It was about ten, eleven years back. My father was the head of the organization that was planning to overthrow the Romerfeller. You, at the age of fourteen ordered the death of my parents. And only a few years after, you murdered my brother on the battlefield."
"So let me guess. You're their little girl who was scared for life by the big bad man. Now that little girl is all grown up and wants revenge on her family's murderer. So you've joined a group of renegade bastard children who just want to blame someone for the chaos that's happening in the world. Well I've got news for you little girl." He walked over to her, full of malice. "I'm not the only one fighting this war. You and those friends of yours are just as guilty as myself. You've ended lives, ripped apart families such as yourself. So don't you dare call me a murderer."
She stared up at him dangerously. She gritted her teeth. "Murderer." He stomped away from her. "You are a murderer," she said. "And I think you realize that." She stared at the floor. "I'm not saying I'm a saint. But I'm fighting for people's freedom. For the hope that there will be a future. You on the other hand, you are destroying that future. The OZ organization doesn't care about peoples' lives. All they want is to dominate outer space."
The two "enemies" stayed silent for what seemed like a long time. Flame had come to kill the man that had killed her parents. But all she had found was a confused child screaming inside the shell of an adult. She wondered if she was like that. Trieze had been tainted by war and was frightened by the blood on his hands. And as she looked at this young man for the first time, she saw … herself.
Flame took a deep breath and raised the gun level to Trieze's head. He closed his eyes, as if telling her he understood. She pulled the trigger and heard the hammer click in response.
Duo braced for impact. And what an impact he got. So far, the cannon had managed to fatally wound Heavyarms and Sandrock. It was now starting to breakdown Deathscythe's defenses. Quatre and Trowa were retreating back to Earth, their mission's rendezvous.
Heero called over into Shenlong's cockpit. "Wufei, if we attack it simultaneously, I believe we can destroy it." The two mobile suits swooped in together. They blasted and bombed the damned cannon they had in their power. Eventually, they had damaged it to the point of uselessness. Heero and Wufei's success was short lived before they had to turn and attack oncoming mobile dolls.
In between shots, Heero was able to contact Duo. "Where the hell's Flame? Are we supposed to wait for her of what?"
"I don't know." Duo made another graceful swipe. "She never said anything about coming out or meeting us anywhere. I was hoping to get a message or something from her."
Heero could here the strained calm in the braided boy's voice. "She'll make it out okay. I'll bet she's in there kicking Trieze's ass."
The solitary click echoed around the room. No loud bang followed it. Trieze opened an eye in confusion. He looked questioningly at Flame. She just smiled. "What? You've never played Russian roulette?" Then she bowed and turned to run out. Just as she reached the door, she faced him again. "Trieze, this time I spared you. I cannot promise that I'll do that for you again on the battlefield. And I assume that you will do the same for me." With that she ran down the hall after tossing the gun to the confused general.
*******************************
Flame bolted into the colony's hanger, with about a dozen OZ officers on her tail, their guns blazing. She tried to return fire as best she could. A few corridors later, she was able to find Thunder. He was still safely hidden and unharmed. She stopped at its feet and fired a few more rounds before jumping up into the cockpit.
When she was seated and secure, she booted up her mobile suit. As quickly as she could, she sped out of the entrance and escaped into the smoke and debris of enemy suits. When she felt she had gotten Thunder far away from the colony, she called over the intercom to all of the other pilots. "Guys, it's Flame. Go to Earth. I'm going to blow the colony up. Get far away, I'll meet you there."
A worried voice came through. "F-flame? You're okay?" It was Duo.
"Of course I am!! What did you think I was? Dead! Now get the hell out of here. I don't want any of you hurt." They all obeyed, willingly. Wing took hold of Deathscythe and dragged him off. I know you're going to get yourself out of this, Trieze. Because you're like me. You're a survivor. And sure enough, she noticed a shuttle retreating from the colony. On the side was a banner that read 'OZ'. Flame chuckled to herself. I knew it. She slammed her fist down on the detonator button.
Flame could hear the 'kabooms' of several of the bombs going off in the pressure points of the once deserted colony. Soon after, there was an even greater explosion erupting from the center of the base within the colony. The force threw her and Thunder back roughly. A bright yellow and red light blinded her. She could feel the larger pieces of debris bouncing and even penetrating the thick gundanium.
Duo looked back in awe at the explosion the girl had caused. Then he noticed the ring of fire growing. He tried to go back to help her, but the locks placed on Deathscythe were still holding strong. The Shinigami jerked the controls, willing his suit to move. He screamed to Heero, "We've got to go back and save her!"
"Duo, she's fine. She'll be … okay…" his voice trailed off. Duo looked back and saw the explosion was beginning to devour Thunder. "Oh shit."
The lock on Deathscythe was suddenly removed, and Duo had total control of the suit. "Oh damn. It the lock is down that means that Flame's computer is down. If Flame's computer is down that means … oh God!" He kicked on the gas and left to rescue the girl of his dreams.
When he approached the fiery mass, the explosion had died down. He grabbed a still smoking Thunder and held it. He meekly cried out, desperate for an answer, "Flame? Are you still alive in there?" Static. "Please say something." Behind the static, he could hear a muffled groan. "Flame? Flame?!!"
A weak voice was barely audible behind the static. "D-duo? Is it you?"
His voice lightened and sounded more hopeful. "Yeah, yeah it's me baby."
"Duo, take me home."
"All right. Can you fly?"
"Give me a minute. Yes, I think I can." Slowly, but surely, Thunder took movement. She slowly moved along with Deathscythe and caught up with Heero and Wufei. The four moved more or less in silence.
After an hour or so, the Earth came into view. Duo looked over to the silhouette of Thunder. Then he (being Duo and all) broke the serenity. "Flame, why in the hell did you do that?"
"Do what?" she asked innocently, and maybe a little sleepily. "Please say we can have a day off. Just this once? I'm kinda tired."
"Yeah, sure. Anything for you." The group easily entered the Earth's atmosphere. They all descended over Arabia. All Flame could think about was that nice, warm bed waiting for her. That cup of hot tea. And Duo's face peeking in on her every five seconds. It was actually a rather nice thought. A rogue and the perfect gentleman. Nah, I can't be that lucky.
They were all about to land. Flame could see Heavyarms and Sandrock. And next to the suits were specks, what she assumed to be Quatre and Trowa. She readjusted herself in the seat and took the controls. She was about to descend when she was abruptly hit from behind with great intensity. She could feel the cabin shaking. She smell of smoke lightly began to tickle her nose.
Flame furiously scratched at the seat belts in panic to get free. Her actions were cut short by a blow to the head by something hard and metallic. The last thing she thought before she lost consciousness was, Duo's gonna be pissed.
Shinigami's attention was taken by a 'whooshing' sound behind him. He turned to look behind him and saw a Leo that had followed them from the base. It raised its weapon and fired at point blank range, hitting Thunder. Deathscythe and Thunder were blow apart from each other by the blast.
When the momentum ceased and Duo was again in control, he drew his scythe and slashed apart the enemy with fierceness never seen before. "How dare you, mother fucker!! I won't let you kill her!! Feel the wrath of the Great Destroyer!" The Leo erupted and the explosion died down quickly.
Panting, Duo turned to find Thunder. He scanned the sky in desperation. "Where'd it go?" He looked beneath him. Thunder had plummeted from where it had last been. It now lay on the ground in a heap. "Dammit, NO!!!!!" Duo rushed downward, roughly parking his Gundam. He leaped out the entrance to his suit and landed on the dirt with no effort.
The boy took off running and leapt up onto the lump of metal. "Flame? Flame?! Flame, please answer me!!" The moon was his only light to help him navigate through the rubble. It shined off the gundanium, outlining Flame's grave. The other pilots could only stand around speechless.
After a few minutes of searching and no reply Duo found something. It was a piece of orchid fabric. "Oh my God … Flame." He clutched the material to his chest. He collapsed onto his knees. "Why? Quatre, why did she have to die?" He began sobbing. Sobbing into the last remains of the girl he loved. Maybe the only girl he'd ever love. He slammed his fist on the hard metal without wincing. "Why did this have to happen?"
Quatre couldn't answer him. He was as close to shock as he'd ever been. He stared open mouthed at the kneeling figure before him. He looked up to Trowa, as if for comfort. Trowa was his usual quiet self. But it was a solemn silence. A kind of silence you have in respect for the dead. Heero shared the same expression. Just with less emotion. Wufei was beside himself with grief. He was experiencing another low in his complex. Even his proud nature couldn't hold back a tiny, singular tear to stream down his cheek.
Wufei took a step forward towards Duo. "Maxwell …" Duo was upon him in an instant. He held the Chinese youth by his shirt. Duo's eyes bore into the other's. He was seething. "If you have anything to say about her abilities or how weak she was, so help me God I'll kill you myself!"
"Maxwell," Wufei said steadily. "I'm sorry. I know what she was to you. Trust me when I say I know how much your soul is screaming right now." He sighed and remorsefully glanced into the sky. His eye sensed a small amount of movement in the heavens. He tried to peer through the pitch darkness. All he could make out was a large shadowed blob. "What the hell?"
Everyone, except for Duo who had began to sob once again, looked up. Quatre gasped after a few moments. "Duo? Duo, you should look at this."
He stifled a fresh batch of tears. "Why?" Quatre walked over to him, put his hands on Duo's face, and turned Duo's head to face the sky. It took him a while to finally see it. When he did it was only about fifty feet off the ground. Duo could make out the outline of a large sheet of white cloth. Below that was a human looking figure. From it was a tattered, but still flowing, orchid coat. "Quatre, is that Flame?"
"I think so." With a smile, the Arabian leaned close to Duo's ear and whispered, "Go get her, kid." Duo ran towards the estimated landing point of Flame. He looked up to see her only a few yards away now. He caught her in his arms, the parachute floating over the two of them. Duo placed her on the ground. They tried to find their way out of the white cloth that seemed to be devouring them.
When they had freed themselves, Duo turned to the girl. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lifted her up and spun around, laughing and thanking whatever was up there that she was still alive. He placed her gently back onto the ground. When he looked into her eyes, he noticed their noses were touching. Across her face were charred marks, and cut here and there. He hair was askew, with the pungent smell of smoke present. Flame's lips parted as if to say something. She was immediately interrupted by a giant glomp from the small Arabian boy who had been standing by in a blissful awe.
The female brunette coughed from lack of oxygen. "Gosh, Quatre, I'm glad to see you too!" She latched onto the boy also. After releasing him, she stepped in front of Wufei. He smiled; she smiled understandingly back. Then she bowed in front of him. "And I'm glad to see you safe as well, Chang Wufei."
He bowed in return. He took her right hand and kissed the back of it respectively. "And I too are happy for your safe return, m'lady." Quatre and Duo stared at each other with wide eyes. Trowa showed the first signs of a smile. Heero was, well, deadpan. But it was a pleasant deadpan.
Flame blushed. "A lady, huh? I've lived with you guys for two days, lived like you guys for two days, and you think I'm a lady? Boy, have you got a surprise coming." She moved her one arm that she had held to her side and cried out in pain. She began reeling and swearing. Wufei caught her and looked up at the others. "Well, God dammit, help me!"
Epilogue:
Quatre casually walked down the hall. As he passed Duo's room, he thought he had heard something. He stopped and put his ear to the door, straining to listen. He heard a rustling of clothing and footsteps. Footsteps walking over to what sounded like the far corner of the room. The corner where the bed was located. Then Quatre heard Flame's voice.
"Duo, I know you don't want to do this. But Heero's busy, Trowa and Wufei don't know how to, and Quatre, well frankly Quatre's a little too squeamish. Besides, you're the only one I trust enough to do this to me."
There came a sigh, from who Quatre assumed was Duo. "All right Flame. But I'm telling you that I've never done this before."
"It's simple. You just take it gently in your hands and twist. Pull and twist so you can make it just right. If not, it could mess up the whole process, thereby making the rest of my existence a living hell. Or at least until you can correct your mistake. But I trust you to do it right the first time."
"Okay, if you say so." There was the sound of movement, and the small squeak of bedsprings. "Hold it like this."
"Yes. Now twist it a bit." A scream and the grunts of frustration startled Quatre. He gulped loudly. He timidly placed his ear next to the door, trying to decipher exactly what his two "kosher" friends were doing. Quatre could hear feminine sounding pants. "Harder … Duo, harder!! How many times do I have to say it? Harder … and plant your feet on the floor. It gives you more control of your thrusts."
"Like this?" Duo asked curiously.
"Ah … yeah, like that. Now I need you to pull very hard. It should put itself back in its original position. Don't worry if it hurts me, it supposed too." Another scream, pants and a moan. That's all Quatre needed to hear before he realized it was his cue to leave. He turned on his heal and marched down the hallway, figuring out mentally how many free years of therapy he gained from this frightening experience.
Flame rubbed her left shoulder. She looked up at Duo, who had a very worried look sketched upon his face. "Thanks Duo. That hurt like a bitch. Like I said, I was going to get someone else to do it, but you were the only person around."
He looked reassured. "I'm glad I could help." He looked up angrily at the butterfly bandage on her forehead. "I just wish I could've-"
He was quieted by a finger over his lips. "Silence little one," she whispered. He smiled mischievously and kissed her finger. Shocked as she was, she couldn't deny that fact that she enjoyed it. She closed her eyes and kissed the braided teenager in her arms.
The kiss was slow and passionate. Flame and Duo's first, personally and as a couple. Suddenly Duo drew back. "It thought Quatre said that you said that you weren't supposed to date anyone because your brother didn't allow you to."
"Duo," she looked deep into his cobalt blue eyes, "my brother isn't here, is he?"
"Um … nope," he said dumbly as they sank back into another kiss. He gallantly moved his lips around hers. His fingertips gracefully traced over her spine, making her hairs stand on end. With his lips still over hers, he traced his tongue over her quivering lips. She shuddered and touched the tip of his tongue with hers. He in turn shivered and rubbed his tongue against hers. They began to fall deeply into the desire of the other, furiously probing around their opposites' mouth.
Flame slowly pulled away from Duo. She nuzzled the side of his face with her nose. She began nibbling on his ear lobe. She maneuvered her tongue into his ear. Then she kissed down his neck and rubbed her nose against his tender skin.
Duo held her tightly. His chivalric side kicked in and he picked her up. He placed her down on the bed. He sat next to her and leaned over her. Duo moved up closer to the head of the bed and laid his girl on his chest. He reached up and touched the bandage on her forehead. "I hope you don't have another scar from this." He traced the scar on her cheek and eyebrow. "You have too many already."
"Scars, whether they be mental or physical, are medals of your experience," she said unemotionally.
"True, but too many scars can completely ruin a person." He put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to look at her. "I'd be honored if you would allow me to protect you from ruin."
"Only if I can do the same for you, my little Shinigami."
"It's a deal."
He knew she was tough (in a feminine sort of way), but he was surprised that a woman knew that much about mechanics. But then again, it made sense. She'd have to. Flame, Quatre and himself, along with the Maganacs had been tinkering on all five Gundams for an hour. So far, they'd replaced the ammunition in Heavyarms, almost completely rebuilt Shenlong's Dragon Staff, and Wing's self-destruct system had been deleted (thanks to a certain overprotective woman).
Flame was putting a few "bandages" on her Thunder. She surveyed the docile mobile suit. It had been dented several times by gunfire, flying debris and crashing into Deathscythe after impact. She and Quatre had been able to pop most of the dents back into place. Duo and the blonde were sitting on the entrance with their legs dangling. Flame was busily playing with her computers and a few other little things to make her ride more comfortable. The two boys served as her helpers.
She stood up and brushed her hands across her sweaty brow. "Help me out." They lifted her out of the Gundam. She sat next to them and reached back into the cooler behind her. She grabbed two beers and water. She passed the drinks to their appropriate owners. "Here's to the success of our mission tomorrow." They chinked bottles and drank.
After a long gulp, Quatre called out to a large Arabian, supposedly the leader of the group. "Rashid, are you finished with Shenlong yet."
"We are very close to finishing, Master Quatre. I suggest that you, Duo and the young lady find some sleep. You all have a long day ahead of you."
"With all due respect, sir," Flame called out, "correct me if I'm wrong but, isn't every fighter's night have a long day following it."
Rashid began to chuckle a bit. "I can see why the three of you get along so well." He turned to Quatre. "She's got an intelligent sense of humor. You need some of that."
"So I'm not intelligent?" Duo asked.
"Should he answer that, or should he just glare?" Flame retorted. He stuck his tongue out at her. "Come on you two. Don't let good advice go to waste. I've only got one or two things to finish up. You two are gonna have mile wide circles under your eyes if you don't go to sleep now." Duo eagerly jumped down and headed for the door at the invitation. He stopped short after noticing that his Arabian companion wasn't behind him.
"I'm staying up just a little longer. To see if Rashid or Flame need any help," Quatre said. Duo shrugged and bounced off, braid trailing behind. Quatre turned back to Flame. She had jumped back into her cockpit, continuing to tinker. He gazed down and admired her broad, clean shoulders, thin waist and her firm leather-clad butt.
He knew what he had to say, but he felt like such an ass for doing it. Here goes nothing. "Uh, Flame … could I talk to you for a minute."
"Sure thing Quat. What's up?"
"Every since you walked into that house, introducing yourself as another Gundam pilot I…" he stopped. Oh God. So what am I supposed to say? 'Your pretty and I've liked you the first time your voice rang out.' I sound like such a sap! "I … like you." There, I said it. "I really like you. You're pretty, smart, courageous, and … yeah." He hung his head sheepishly.
Her eyes caught his and held them. She hauled herself out of the Gundam and sat down next to him. She raised his chin and smiled warmly. "I'm very flattered. You're a really nice young man. And I mean it. But-"
"But I'm not interesting enough. I understand totally. Forget it, it was stupid anyway. I shouldn't have said anything."
"That is the biggest crock of bullshit I've ever heard! You're far from being uninteresting! And the fact that you told me how you feel is far from stupid. I think it was rather brave and gentlemanly." She was rewarded by a half-hearted smile from the crestfallen boy. "I just don't share the same feelings for you." She became lost in her thoughts. "I don't think I could ever be with anyone until this whole damned war ended."
Quatre looked up at her with a confused look on his face. "Why couldn't you? If anything, a boyfriend could give you something to fight for."
She dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "It has something to do with the way I was trained. It's a long, boring story."
"I'm tired, so make me sleep. I'm nosy."
She took a deep breath and exhaled. "You'd probably like to hear my life's story from the beginning, because that's the only logical thing to do. I was born on the moon; I don't know what my ethnic background is. My parents, an older brother and I lived there for a year in peace and very content. Then OZ attacked our colony on the moon. My parents were killed. My brother, who was about eleven at the time, took me and fled to India.
"There we lived as outsiders, not communicating with the people of our village. We were almost labeled as 'untouchables.' My brother and I tried to create a rebellious movement there, but we lived in a pacifistic area. They wanted nothing to do with us. My brother taught me, since I was five, the art of war. We would train day in and day out. He honed my hunting instincts, especially those used for tracking. Given the opportunity I could find a straight Gundam pilot in the yaoi fics [sorry, writer's personal happy. I leave you to the rest of the fic].
"When I was nine, my brother gave me a trained peregrine falcon. I named it Thunder, hence my Gundam's name. I had it for about a year. One day I was standing on the edge of a canyon, watching Thunder swoop down and catch fish in a creek below. Meanwhile in town, some OZ officers had stopped temporarily for some rest and relaxation. They had heard a rumor about a pair of reckless rebels living close by. So while I was out with my falcon, a lieutenant apprehended me. As he was coming up from the canyon, the officer drew a gun and fired. Thunder fell into the creek with a splash and that was the last time I saw him. Before he left, I remember him saying, 'That'll teach you scum to obey what you're told.' "
Flame paused for a moment. "You know, I've never cried in my whole life. I'm sure I did when I was little, but once I had an understanding of how the world worked, I couldn't. And I think my brother would have smacked me across the head. Don't get me wrong, he loved me. He just didn't want to see the same thing that happened to mom and dad happen to me.
"Anyway, I had my training stepped up more. I had so much reason to hate the OZ Federation that I had begun to conceive revenge when I was eleven. I was able to play out my revenge a year later.
"Because I was well developed and looked fifteen, sixteen by the time I was twelve, I was able to play with a certain weakness of men. I worked in many interesting places as many interesting things. The most 'memorable' job I had was a stripper. And I actually stooped as low as a prostitute." She noticed the utterly disgusted look on Quatre's face. "No, it's not what you think. I might have had to lay naked with them but I never slept with them. I refused to do that. I'd just get them drunk enough to have them tell me what I needed to know, and then I'd kill them."
Quatre thought about everything he had just heard. He started getting really angry. This war had turned a beautiful, young woman into a hard, cold-blooded killer. Like the rest of them, it had stolen her delicate innocence. "I'm sure your wonderful, loving brother didn't have anything to do with this either."
"He didn't. He suggested it; I accepted my mission. Besides, if I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have been able to find the mobile suits to battle with.
"One night, I was able to get a colonel to spill about a big time attack on the Cinq Kingdom. I disposed of him, and rushed home to my brother to share the news. We climbed into the suits and took off. The battle must have lasted for about an hour. Although there was only two of us, we were able to hold our own. I figured we had it won. But something went wrong. The suit my brother was in exploded. My anger climaxed and was finally let out. I took out the remaining troops out by myself.
"When I was finished, I landed to go find my brother, praying he was still alive. But it was too late. I don't remember much, just the blood. Blood everywhere. On my hands, my clothes, his face. There was only blood.
"My definition of vengeance was totally changed. I left my home and traveled around India, Arabia and their colonies. I wanted nothing more then to kill Romerfeller, OZ and their supporters. When I turned fifteen Dr. J found me. He had seen the damage I could do, and he wanted to 'employ' me. He offered me a Gundam, some new training and the opportunity to destroy Treize Khushrenada." Quatre looked her questioningly. "Trieze killed both my parents and my brother."
"I'm sorry, Flame. I really am. I couldn't have imagined that you went through all of … that." He placed a hand over hers. There was a moment of silence before Quatre decided to speak again. "Not that it's any of my business but, I've noticed the way Duo looks at you. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you kinda like him too."
Flame's eyes grew by five sizes. "I admit that Maxwell is a little … attractive. But I can't date anyone."
"You feel that anyone who has ever cared about you dies, and you don't want the same fate for Duo. Am I right?"
Flame was silent. He knows me better than I know myself. " I … uh … guess so. No, that's not it. My brother forbade me from ever dating."
"But, and excuse me for being morbid, isn't your brother dead?"
"Call it respecting his memory."
He smiled understandingly. Then he kissed her cheek. "Just remember, you and Duo face the same kind or horrors. He's already condemned." With that, he slid off the Gundam, leaving a very confused Flame in the pail light.
*********************************
Flame walked through the doorway to her room in a daze. She was thinking about the advice Quatre had given her. And the scariest part was, it made a lot of sense. She was terrified of losing someone again. She couldn't handle it.
She decided she was too tense to sleep so she sat down next to the fire. The warmth kissed her skin with a hard reality she didn't want to face. She had feelings for Duo Maxwell, her comrade, and her friend. And there was a possibility that he had feelings for her. Why are you doing this to me?
Flame was startled by the creaking of her door. She grabbed the dagger in her boot and spun around, ready to throw the knife. She was face to face with Duo. "You're only a little tense," he said, almost mocking her.
Flustered, she quickly placed it back into her bootleg. "I'm always a little edgy just before bed. Speaking of which, I thought you were going to sleep."
"I got a sudden case of insomnia. So I thought a little. And then I heard you come in."
"Oh … okay."
"My God you're tense!" He could see her muscle strain outlined in the firelight. He walked towards her. Duo placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I feel a little awkward asking this but, do you want a massage?"
She was a little taken back. "S-sure." He led her to the bed, where she removed her coat and took a seat. He sat behind her, facing the fire. Duo cleared his throat, and gathered her hair in his hand and brushed it out of the way, exposing her soft neck. She's so perfect. An angel and the Shinigami. Nah, I can't be that lucky.
He placed his hands over her shoulders and began rubbing her muscles. Duo could feel her relax under his touch. "Why are you a soldier? You could've made it as a masseuse," she offered.
"Are you comfortable?"
"Mmmhmm." He's really strong. I shouldn't let him do this. But I feel so safe. He carefully made his way down her arms, then around and on her back. He's being cautious. And he's so gentle. She felt the bed sink and heard him slide closer to her. She held her breath. Flame could almost feel herself trembling.
Suddenly he stopped. He removed his hands from her person, but still sat on the bed. She was about to turn around when she felt warm breath against her neck. She quietly gasped so he wouldn't hear her. Duo nuzzled the back of her neck with the end of his nose. This isn't right, this isn't right, this is … heaven. He made his was down to the middle of her back
She felt something warm, slick and wet tracing the calligraphy of her tattoo. Oh God, Duo. Please don't stop. She gasped and reached behind her to pull Duo closer to her. Wait, this is wrong. Very reluctantly, she turned around and looked at him sympathetically. "Duo, I can't…" she stroked his cheek with her fingers.
"I understand," he whispered.
"It's not you," she tried to reassure him. "I can't … my duty as a pilot isn't over. When it is … well, I'll leave that to fate." She smiled to try to cheer him up. "Duo I -" Flame was silenced by two of Duo's fingers covering her lips. He leaned forward, and she received her second kiss that night in the same place. The first had been out of friendship. The second, out of love?
Duo took his leave. Before he escaped he managed to say, "Goodnight. Sweet dreams." She shut the door behind him and leaned on the door. Frustration filled within her and she grabbed the dagger still hiding in her boot. She threw it without aiming and managed to land it in the headboard. She slammed her fist against the door. "FUCK!"
***************************
It was the next day, and the Gundams were in full swing again. They had made up for their "dishonorable" (in the words of Wufei) loss. They were whooping some major ass. Flame and Duo were fighting side by side again. And he had later pronounced his undying love to her previous and said after this win, he would take her away from all of this to live with her.
But suddenly, when everything seemed perfect, she heard a scream mixed with an explosion. She turned to see Deathscythe diminish into nothing. All around her, the Gundams were being shot down. And for whatever reason, she couldn't move or speak. She couldn't do anything to save them.
Then she saw he brother's face appear before her. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I tried to save you, save them!" She was close to hysterics, not tears.
"Well obviously you weren't trying hard enough! You don't love them enough to save them. You don't love Duo!" the figure accused her. She screamed.
"No … Duo I won't … let you … die. No, I won't. I won't!!" She screamed again. It couldn't go unnoticed this time. Her fellow pilots rushed in awaken by her screams for help. Quatre bent down and shook her slightly.
"Flame? Come on wake up. You're dreaming." She sat straight up, screaming. She began gasping for air. He hair fell in uncombed strands about her head. She looked around her at the pairs of eyes that were upon her. "Flame? It's Quatre. You had a nightmare. Are you okay?"
The girl drew her knees up to her chest in response. She rocked back and forth, clutching the corner of the comforter. Quatre stood up. Wufei took his place. "Onna … I mean, Flame? What happened in your dream?"
She swallowed hard. Flame opened her mouth, but she found it almost impossible to speak through that lump in her throat. But she was soon able to find sound. "We were fighting, and it was going good. But then everyone died. I don't know how. I couldn't … couldn't stop it." She could fear her eyes stinging. Please not now. They'll all think I'm weak. However, they came swiftly and abruptly.
She averted her eyes from Wufei's. "I'm crying. I guess that makes me weaker," she said between sobs.
He shook his head. "No. If anything, that makes you even more of a man than I." He politely brushed a tear from her face. He spied a handkerchief laying on a nearby nightstand. He picked it up and offered her the courtesy, which she gladly accepted. Still huddled up in a tight ball, she held the satin cloth to her face willing her tears to stop.
She glanced over and saw something she thought she'd never see before. At least when he was sober, or not loopy from pain. Wufei grinning at her. It was a whole-hearted honest grin. She smiled in return. Then he left. He sleepily grumbled 'goodnight' to all of his comrades.
Quatre did the same, assured she'd be all right after she calmed down. But first he'd get her a cup of tea to opiate her nerves. He left the stage to Heero, Trowa and Duo. That makes for good conversation. Two stone cold statues and one lovesick puppy.
As predicted, Trowa and Heero didn't say much of anything. Trowa did, however, try to maintain some consolation for the terrified girl. Well, the 'perfect soldier' didn't seem willing to say anything, and Duo was standing in the corner brooding. Trowa held his own until Quatre returned with a steaming cup of tea. Trowa took his cue, waved, and left.
Quatre set the cup on the nightstand, and lit the candle in a library lamp. "There you have it. Tea, freshly brewed. Can I get you anything else?"
"N-n-no. I'm f-fine. Really I am."
Quatre smiled and led Heero out the door. "Sleep well," Heero said gruffly. "And thank you for this afternoon."
"Your welcome." Then the door was shut behind them. She was left alone in a room with Duo Maxwell. "You know, you don't have to stay up."
"But I chose to. That should be enough. I'm not going to ask you about your dream, because that'll just make you even more upset. So I'll just sit here with you and make sure you drop back off to sleep." He handed her the cup. "You should try this. It'll help you relax."
She held the cup in her hands, sucking up the warmth. The tears started flowing again when she remembered what happened to Duo. "It was horrible. You died next to me. I could have saved you but -"
"But nothing. It was a dream." He beamed that cheesy grin of his. "Besides, you don't have to worry about me! I'm the Shinigami!" He wiped the rest of her tears away from her eyes with his thumb. "I thought Flame was all big and bad. Nothing could touch her. No emotion could get to her to make her cry for anyone. I guess you're human after all." He watched her intently as she sipped the contents of the cup.
When she was finished he took the cup from her and forced her to lie down. "So are you my friend or my mother?" she asked, slightly peeved.
"Can't really tell ya. Consider me an overly concerned friend. Now get some sleep. I'll be right here if you need anything. I command you to go to sleep!"
Flame had to admit that the blankets were really warm … and soft … and comforting. She rolled on her side, still facing the braided boy of her dreams, and tucked the blanket under her exposed arm. Duo moved himself so he was sitting on the bed next to her. He tenderly ran his fingers across her bare arm. "Goodnight, Flame."
"Thank you," Flame whispered before sleep enveloped her. The smile on her face eased Duo's nerves enough to let him sleep a little bit more before the morning.
***********************************
"Flame, can you back me up?!!! It'd be real helpful about now!" Duo screamed. "Quatre and I need time to get inside. Fei, some assistance from you would be nice too!"
"Only if you ask politely," Flame retorted sarcastically. Thunder made a beeline to help Duo. She whipped out Thunder's staff and swung it around in all directions. Within the span of a few seconds, she had wiped out approximately twenty mobile dolls and watched them explode with pleasure. She turned to Duo with a smirk. "Happy?"
"Thanks," he grumbled back. He glanced around and saw an opening for he and Quatre to make his attack. "Let's go, Q-man!"
"Wait a minute!" Flame demanded. "What do you and Quat have to do? What's the plan?"
"You stay here and watch our backs. Duo and I are going after Trieze and destroying the base."
"Excuse me? You two are going after the dickless bastard that killed my family, finally ending his life and you want me to stay behind! I don't think so."
"Please," Quatre asked pleadingly, "just stay here and help the others." Sandrock and Deathscythe turned and started for the entrance to the door. Flame felt her face get red and clenched her fists. She pulled down her main computer console. Her fingers began flying away furiously. There ain't no way you're going to deny me of this. In time, she was able to hack into both Quatre and Duo's Gundam's systems.
After a little tweaking, she was able to lock up all mechanisms. The only thing they could do was operate their trigger fingers, just for defense. With a proud smile, she sped forward. Flame glanced over at her betrayed comrades. "Sorry boys, this fight is mine."
Duo watched in a mix or horror and defeat as the girl he loved flew into what was surly a suicide mission. He tried to call her over the intercom, getting nothing but static. He slammed his fist down on the control panel and hung his head. "Flame, don't kill yourself. Come back safe to me."
Getting through the mecha-made shield was cake. Parking Thunder in an inconspicuous spot: simple. Knocking out two officers and hacking into the base's computer systems to find Khushrenada's room took only moments. The hard part was trying to find her way around the base to find his damn room (which, of course, had to be "conveniently" placed on the complete opposite of where she was. Kisama).
From one of the officers quarters, she was able to find a cap and long trench coat. It was large enough that, when buttoned up and the collar was folded up, it covered her entire apparel and face. And the cap covered the top of her head. She quickly glanced in the mirror to look herself over then bolted out the door.
A dark, deserted hallway met her. The only light provided was that coming from the flashing red emergency light. An announcement suddenly rang out over the PA system. "Men, arm yourselves. We have reason to believe that there is an intruder. Consider him armed and dangerous."
Flame had never met the owner of the voice, but she knew all to well who it was. "The sound of my enemy. The sound of his screams of pain will be a symphony to my ears." She growled and charged down the end of the hall. She stopped at the corner and glanced around to check for the clear. Then an idea struck her. Wait, if Trieze made that announcement, he can't still be in his room. The only control room that's close enough to his room and large enough to have a base wide pager is … she looked around frantically for a map. "It's gotta be here. On the wall or something."
After not finding anything, she sourly shoved her hands in the coat pockets. Something brushed against her hand. She wrapped her fist around the object and pulled it out. It was a folded map of the entire base. She chuckled quietly. "Only in space. Where else would you find a map in the coat you had only just stolen?" Her mind didn't linger on the question to make an impact. She had more important things to wrack her brain with.
The thought that she could get captured, tortured or even killed didn't even faze her. She just stampeded down a bunch or corridors. She pulled her pistol from its holster on her hip and gripped it securely. She had pulled it out and looked up just in time to see a tall, masculine outline step out of a doorway.
Flame stopped running, skidded a few feet and stealthily crept towards the unknowing stranger. When they had past the entrance the stranger had just exited and turned the corner, she leapt upon him. She got him in a bear hug and wrestled him to the ground. When she had got him down on the floor, facing the ceiling, she straddled his chest. To make sure he couldn't attack her, she place her knees in the crook of his elbows, pushing down hard. She pointed the barrel of the gun at his forehead. "Where is Trieze Khushrenada?" she whispered, quietly so she wouldn't be heard by other soldiers, but demanding enough to let him know she meant business.
"Congratulations young lady. You're sitting on him," he said with an almost mocking tone. Flame moved him into a better light and realized that her prisoner had not been bluffing. She had not personally seen his face, but she had watched the news and read reports about the OZ Specials. True, he was quite attractive. And his almost eighteenth century style clothing was a bit of a turn on. But sexuality wasn't going to penetrate the hatred that was seemingly radiating off Flame at this moment.
Trieze looked up at her curiously. "Why would you be looking for me, little girl?" He reached over and stroked her legs with his fingertips. Flame growled and smacked him across the face with the gun barrel. Then she resumed her position.
"I am not a little girl anymore." She sneered at him over the outstretched gun.
He stared at her breasts hungrily. He licked his top lip. "As I see." Flame punched him with great force, grinned when he groaned and slowly stood up. She stepped over him and hovered over his crotch. She lifted her booted foot and came down upon his nether regions with even greater force. She ground the heel deep into his skin and pushed down harder. Then she paused for a minute, as if thinking. "Well I know you are. A little girl I mean. You're packing close to nothing."
Flame removed her foot and pointed the gun once more at Trieze. "Get up." Still whining in pain, he stood up slowly. When he was on his feet, she searched him for weapons or something that would make her position stickier. In finding nothing, she glared at Trieze. "Show me to your quarters. And if you say anything perverted directed to me I will make sure there will never be a Khushrenada Jr. Got it?"
With that smart-ass smirk of his, he nodded and began walking down the hall. Trieze's quarters were only a few hallways away. When they got within the room, she threw him though the door and slammed it shut. "So, Trieze, do you know who I am?"
"Duo, you've got to at least give her time!" Quatre said. "If she chooses to go after Trieze, you know that there is no way in hell you're going to stop her. If you want to protect her, guard the base. Make sure no one else comes in or out."
Duo agreed, and began swiping every mobile doll passing by his line of vision. His movement became more and more violent. Quatre and the other pilots could hear his screams of fury. A new group of mobile dolls filed out of the colony. They were merely target practice for the pissed Shinigami.
The other pilots considered this battle won. The mobile doll units were almost down to nothing, Flame had gone off to kill Trieze, and Duo was scarring the living shit out of the live troops that were out on the battlefield. But out of nowhere, a very large buster cannon poked its ugly head out of the colony's walls. It began firing. Soon, it hit Heavyarms, wounding it.
"No, why should I?" Trieze answered in aristocratic tone. He stalked over to a small table where a crystal jug of port and glass had been set out for him. He poured the liquid into the glass and drank from it gingerly.
Flame watched him intensely. She squared her shoulders. "I thought you were a man who would remember his most innocent of victims," she began. "Do you remember a couple? It was about ten, eleven years back. My father was the head of the organization that was planning to overthrow the Romerfeller. You, at the age of fourteen ordered the death of my parents. And only a few years after, you murdered my brother on the battlefield."
"So let me guess. You're their little girl who was scared for life by the big bad man. Now that little girl is all grown up and wants revenge on her family's murderer. So you've joined a group of renegade bastard children who just want to blame someone for the chaos that's happening in the world. Well I've got news for you little girl." He walked over to her, full of malice. "I'm not the only one fighting this war. You and those friends of yours are just as guilty as myself. You've ended lives, ripped apart families such as yourself. So don't you dare call me a murderer."
She stared up at him dangerously. She gritted her teeth. "Murderer." He stomped away from her. "You are a murderer," she said. "And I think you realize that." She stared at the floor. "I'm not saying I'm a saint. But I'm fighting for people's freedom. For the hope that there will be a future. You on the other hand, you are destroying that future. The OZ organization doesn't care about peoples' lives. All they want is to dominate outer space."
The two "enemies" stayed silent for what seemed like a long time. Flame had come to kill the man that had killed her parents. But all she had found was a confused child screaming inside the shell of an adult. She wondered if she was like that. Trieze had been tainted by war and was frightened by the blood on his hands. And as she looked at this young man for the first time, she saw … herself.
Flame took a deep breath and raised the gun level to Trieze's head. He closed his eyes, as if telling her he understood. She pulled the trigger and heard the hammer click in response.
Duo braced for impact. And what an impact he got. So far, the cannon had managed to fatally wound Heavyarms and Sandrock. It was now starting to breakdown Deathscythe's defenses. Quatre and Trowa were retreating back to Earth, their mission's rendezvous.
Heero called over into Shenlong's cockpit. "Wufei, if we attack it simultaneously, I believe we can destroy it." The two mobile suits swooped in together. They blasted and bombed the damned cannon they had in their power. Eventually, they had damaged it to the point of uselessness. Heero and Wufei's success was short lived before they had to turn and attack oncoming mobile dolls.
In between shots, Heero was able to contact Duo. "Where the hell's Flame? Are we supposed to wait for her of what?"
"I don't know." Duo made another graceful swipe. "She never said anything about coming out or meeting us anywhere. I was hoping to get a message or something from her."
Heero could here the strained calm in the braided boy's voice. "She'll make it out okay. I'll bet she's in there kicking Trieze's ass."
The solitary click echoed around the room. No loud bang followed it. Trieze opened an eye in confusion. He looked questioningly at Flame. She just smiled. "What? You've never played Russian roulette?" Then she bowed and turned to run out. Just as she reached the door, she faced him again. "Trieze, this time I spared you. I cannot promise that I'll do that for you again on the battlefield. And I assume that you will do the same for me." With that she ran down the hall after tossing the gun to the confused general.
*******************************
Flame bolted into the colony's hanger, with about a dozen OZ officers on her tail, their guns blazing. She tried to return fire as best she could. A few corridors later, she was able to find Thunder. He was still safely hidden and unharmed. She stopped at its feet and fired a few more rounds before jumping up into the cockpit.
When she was seated and secure, she booted up her mobile suit. As quickly as she could, she sped out of the entrance and escaped into the smoke and debris of enemy suits. When she felt she had gotten Thunder far away from the colony, she called over the intercom to all of the other pilots. "Guys, it's Flame. Go to Earth. I'm going to blow the colony up. Get far away, I'll meet you there."
A worried voice came through. "F-flame? You're okay?" It was Duo.
"Of course I am!! What did you think I was? Dead! Now get the hell out of here. I don't want any of you hurt." They all obeyed, willingly. Wing took hold of Deathscythe and dragged him off. I know you're going to get yourself out of this, Trieze. Because you're like me. You're a survivor. And sure enough, she noticed a shuttle retreating from the colony. On the side was a banner that read 'OZ'. Flame chuckled to herself. I knew it. She slammed her fist down on the detonator button.
Flame could hear the 'kabooms' of several of the bombs going off in the pressure points of the once deserted colony. Soon after, there was an even greater explosion erupting from the center of the base within the colony. The force threw her and Thunder back roughly. A bright yellow and red light blinded her. She could feel the larger pieces of debris bouncing and even penetrating the thick gundanium.
Duo looked back in awe at the explosion the girl had caused. Then he noticed the ring of fire growing. He tried to go back to help her, but the locks placed on Deathscythe were still holding strong. The Shinigami jerked the controls, willing his suit to move. He screamed to Heero, "We've got to go back and save her!"
"Duo, she's fine. She'll be … okay…" his voice trailed off. Duo looked back and saw the explosion was beginning to devour Thunder. "Oh shit."
The lock on Deathscythe was suddenly removed, and Duo had total control of the suit. "Oh damn. It the lock is down that means that Flame's computer is down. If Flame's computer is down that means … oh God!" He kicked on the gas and left to rescue the girl of his dreams.
When he approached the fiery mass, the explosion had died down. He grabbed a still smoking Thunder and held it. He meekly cried out, desperate for an answer, "Flame? Are you still alive in there?" Static. "Please say something." Behind the static, he could hear a muffled groan. "Flame? Flame?!!"
A weak voice was barely audible behind the static. "D-duo? Is it you?"
His voice lightened and sounded more hopeful. "Yeah, yeah it's me baby."
"Duo, take me home."
"All right. Can you fly?"
"Give me a minute. Yes, I think I can." Slowly, but surely, Thunder took movement. She slowly moved along with Deathscythe and caught up with Heero and Wufei. The four moved more or less in silence.
After an hour or so, the Earth came into view. Duo looked over to the silhouette of Thunder. Then he (being Duo and all) broke the serenity. "Flame, why in the hell did you do that?"
"Do what?" she asked innocently, and maybe a little sleepily. "Please say we can have a day off. Just this once? I'm kinda tired."
"Yeah, sure. Anything for you." The group easily entered the Earth's atmosphere. They all descended over Arabia. All Flame could think about was that nice, warm bed waiting for her. That cup of hot tea. And Duo's face peeking in on her every five seconds. It was actually a rather nice thought. A rogue and the perfect gentleman. Nah, I can't be that lucky.
They were all about to land. Flame could see Heavyarms and Sandrock. And next to the suits were specks, what she assumed to be Quatre and Trowa. She readjusted herself in the seat and took the controls. She was about to descend when she was abruptly hit from behind with great intensity. She could feel the cabin shaking. She smell of smoke lightly began to tickle her nose.
Flame furiously scratched at the seat belts in panic to get free. Her actions were cut short by a blow to the head by something hard and metallic. The last thing she thought before she lost consciousness was, Duo's gonna be pissed.
Shinigami's attention was taken by a 'whooshing' sound behind him. He turned to look behind him and saw a Leo that had followed them from the base. It raised its weapon and fired at point blank range, hitting Thunder. Deathscythe and Thunder were blow apart from each other by the blast.
When the momentum ceased and Duo was again in control, he drew his scythe and slashed apart the enemy with fierceness never seen before. "How dare you, mother fucker!! I won't let you kill her!! Feel the wrath of the Great Destroyer!" The Leo erupted and the explosion died down quickly.
Panting, Duo turned to find Thunder. He scanned the sky in desperation. "Where'd it go?" He looked beneath him. Thunder had plummeted from where it had last been. It now lay on the ground in a heap. "Dammit, NO!!!!!" Duo rushed downward, roughly parking his Gundam. He leaped out the entrance to his suit and landed on the dirt with no effort.
The boy took off running and leapt up onto the lump of metal. "Flame? Flame?! Flame, please answer me!!" The moon was his only light to help him navigate through the rubble. It shined off the gundanium, outlining Flame's grave. The other pilots could only stand around speechless.
After a few minutes of searching and no reply Duo found something. It was a piece of orchid fabric. "Oh my God … Flame." He clutched the material to his chest. He collapsed onto his knees. "Why? Quatre, why did she have to die?" He began sobbing. Sobbing into the last remains of the girl he loved. Maybe the only girl he'd ever love. He slammed his fist on the hard metal without wincing. "Why did this have to happen?"
Quatre couldn't answer him. He was as close to shock as he'd ever been. He stared open mouthed at the kneeling figure before him. He looked up to Trowa, as if for comfort. Trowa was his usual quiet self. But it was a solemn silence. A kind of silence you have in respect for the dead. Heero shared the same expression. Just with less emotion. Wufei was beside himself with grief. He was experiencing another low in his complex. Even his proud nature couldn't hold back a tiny, singular tear to stream down his cheek.
Wufei took a step forward towards Duo. "Maxwell …" Duo was upon him in an instant. He held the Chinese youth by his shirt. Duo's eyes bore into the other's. He was seething. "If you have anything to say about her abilities or how weak she was, so help me God I'll kill you myself!"
"Maxwell," Wufei said steadily. "I'm sorry. I know what she was to you. Trust me when I say I know how much your soul is screaming right now." He sighed and remorsefully glanced into the sky. His eye sensed a small amount of movement in the heavens. He tried to peer through the pitch darkness. All he could make out was a large shadowed blob. "What the hell?"
Everyone, except for Duo who had began to sob once again, looked up. Quatre gasped after a few moments. "Duo? Duo, you should look at this."
He stifled a fresh batch of tears. "Why?" Quatre walked over to him, put his hands on Duo's face, and turned Duo's head to face the sky. It took him a while to finally see it. When he did it was only about fifty feet off the ground. Duo could make out the outline of a large sheet of white cloth. Below that was a human looking figure. From it was a tattered, but still flowing, orchid coat. "Quatre, is that Flame?"
"I think so." With a smile, the Arabian leaned close to Duo's ear and whispered, "Go get her, kid." Duo ran towards the estimated landing point of Flame. He looked up to see her only a few yards away now. He caught her in his arms, the parachute floating over the two of them. Duo placed her on the ground. They tried to find their way out of the white cloth that seemed to be devouring them.
When they had freed themselves, Duo turned to the girl. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist. He lifted her up and spun around, laughing and thanking whatever was up there that she was still alive. He placed her gently back onto the ground. When he looked into her eyes, he noticed their noses were touching. Across her face were charred marks, and cut here and there. He hair was askew, with the pungent smell of smoke present. Flame's lips parted as if to say something. She was immediately interrupted by a giant glomp from the small Arabian boy who had been standing by in a blissful awe.
The female brunette coughed from lack of oxygen. "Gosh, Quatre, I'm glad to see you too!" She latched onto the boy also. After releasing him, she stepped in front of Wufei. He smiled; she smiled understandingly back. Then she bowed in front of him. "And I'm glad to see you safe as well, Chang Wufei."
He bowed in return. He took her right hand and kissed the back of it respectively. "And I too are happy for your safe return, m'lady." Quatre and Duo stared at each other with wide eyes. Trowa showed the first signs of a smile. Heero was, well, deadpan. But it was a pleasant deadpan.
Flame blushed. "A lady, huh? I've lived with you guys for two days, lived like you guys for two days, and you think I'm a lady? Boy, have you got a surprise coming." She moved her one arm that she had held to her side and cried out in pain. She began reeling and swearing. Wufei caught her and looked up at the others. "Well, God dammit, help me!"
Epilogue:
Quatre casually walked down the hall. As he passed Duo's room, he thought he had heard something. He stopped and put his ear to the door, straining to listen. He heard a rustling of clothing and footsteps. Footsteps walking over to what sounded like the far corner of the room. The corner where the bed was located. Then Quatre heard Flame's voice.
"Duo, I know you don't want to do this. But Heero's busy, Trowa and Wufei don't know how to, and Quatre, well frankly Quatre's a little too squeamish. Besides, you're the only one I trust enough to do this to me."
There came a sigh, from who Quatre assumed was Duo. "All right Flame. But I'm telling you that I've never done this before."
"It's simple. You just take it gently in your hands and twist. Pull and twist so you can make it just right. If not, it could mess up the whole process, thereby making the rest of my existence a living hell. Or at least until you can correct your mistake. But I trust you to do it right the first time."
"Okay, if you say so." There was the sound of movement, and the small squeak of bedsprings. "Hold it like this."
"Yes. Now twist it a bit." A scream and the grunts of frustration startled Quatre. He gulped loudly. He timidly placed his ear next to the door, trying to decipher exactly what his two "kosher" friends were doing. Quatre could hear feminine sounding pants. "Harder … Duo, harder!! How many times do I have to say it? Harder … and plant your feet on the floor. It gives you more control of your thrusts."
"Like this?" Duo asked curiously.
"Ah … yeah, like that. Now I need you to pull very hard. It should put itself back in its original position. Don't worry if it hurts me, it supposed too." Another scream, pants and a moan. That's all Quatre needed to hear before he realized it was his cue to leave. He turned on his heal and marched down the hallway, figuring out mentally how many free years of therapy he gained from this frightening experience.
Flame rubbed her left shoulder. She looked up at Duo, who had a very worried look sketched upon his face. "Thanks Duo. That hurt like a bitch. Like I said, I was going to get someone else to do it, but you were the only person around."
He looked reassured. "I'm glad I could help." He looked up angrily at the butterfly bandage on her forehead. "I just wish I could've-"
He was quieted by a finger over his lips. "Silence little one," she whispered. He smiled mischievously and kissed her finger. Shocked as she was, she couldn't deny that fact that she enjoyed it. She closed her eyes and kissed the braided teenager in her arms.
The kiss was slow and passionate. Flame and Duo's first, personally and as a couple. Suddenly Duo drew back. "It thought Quatre said that you said that you weren't supposed to date anyone because your brother didn't allow you to."
"Duo," she looked deep into his cobalt blue eyes, "my brother isn't here, is he?"
"Um … nope," he said dumbly as they sank back into another kiss. He gallantly moved his lips around hers. His fingertips gracefully traced over her spine, making her hairs stand on end. With his lips still over hers, he traced his tongue over her quivering lips. She shuddered and touched the tip of his tongue with hers. He in turn shivered and rubbed his tongue against hers. They began to fall deeply into the desire of the other, furiously probing around their opposites' mouth.
Flame slowly pulled away from Duo. She nuzzled the side of his face with her nose. She began nibbling on his ear lobe. She maneuvered her tongue into his ear. Then she kissed down his neck and rubbed her nose against his tender skin.
Duo held her tightly. His chivalric side kicked in and he picked her up. He placed her down on the bed. He sat next to her and leaned over her. Duo moved up closer to the head of the bed and laid his girl on his chest. He reached up and touched the bandage on her forehead. "I hope you don't have another scar from this." He traced the scar on her cheek and eyebrow. "You have too many already."
"Scars, whether they be mental or physical, are medals of your experience," she said unemotionally.
"True, but too many scars can completely ruin a person." He put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to look at her. "I'd be honored if you would allow me to protect you from ruin."
"Only if I can do the same for you, my little Shinigami."
"It's a deal."