Title: Chimera
Author: Amber
Pairings: Not Sure Yet but there will definitely be Yaoi.
Disclaimer: Gundam belongs to Gundam and any scene or plot similarity to
another person's story, movie or anime is purely coincidental. Any new OC
belongs to said author and her imagination.
Thru the Looking Glass
He stumbled across the back up team about a hundred yards from the fence perimeter that surrounded the Peacecraft compound. It wasn't hard to lead them away. A shadow here a crunch of snow there the first one had his neck snapped before he even knew what happened. Gabriel smiled. The man on the ground whimpered knowing he was looking death in the face. Even if he could work a deal, at the most all he could do was buy himself some time because there was no mercy anywhere in those eyes. Gabriel crouched down in front of the man pulling a wicked blade from the small of his back. What a pathetic looser this it was the refuse that robbed the world of some of its best and brightest people? He stared at the man with eyes that blazed pure fire it was a chilling contrast to the smiled that was so detached and malicious. He prayed. That's when the demon from hell laughed.
"God?" A hint of derision entered his voice. "You pray to a deity that embodies love and peace while plotting to do murder?" In a movement to fast to follow the knife flashed in the moonlight and left a trail of blood across his cheek. He whimpered
Gabriel studied him thoughtfully. "I tell you what I'll do tell me how many more of you are on the grounds and where the bomb is? And I'll make your death as quick and painless as possible." The man shook his head and made an aborted attempt to push himself back when Gabriel slammed the knife down through his hand pinning him to the ground. His mouth opened to scream only to receive a blow across his throat cutting the sound off into a muffled garble.
"Uhh uhh uhhh this is a one time offer I know generally the where. What I'm asking is confirmation will save me time. Time I'm wasting on you and that's just going to piss me off and trust me you don't want me angry."
He stared into pain-glazed eyes intently to see if he understood what he was saying. Gabriel slapped his face and the man jerked his eyes focusing on his face swallowing painfully.
"Two more," he whispered hoarsely. He pulled the knife out slowly and the man moaned eyes rolling back in his head. Gabriel sighed poking him under the chin with the blade hard enough to draw blood.
"Not yet. Where are they?" He trembled shaking his head his eyes slid closed trying to block out the horror. Gabriel slid the knife up until the point was felt near the man's eye and rubbed it back and forth. He leaned in and spoke the menace in his tone told the man he didn't have long to live. "I can slit your eye lids open and you won't be able to close your eyes there is a least a hundred ways to die and more when you add variations."
Suddenly fed up he nicked the corner of the man's eye. "I have mastered them all but I don't get much call to demonstrate anymore because no one is stupid enough to make me ask them a second time. Are you that stupid dick head?" The man's eyes popped opened and widened at how eager he sounded.
"The old man," he gushed.
"What old man? Is he a part of this?"
The man shook his head frantically. "The queens servant he's going to pick up gifts left with her secretary.
" Gifts what bullshit." He flicked the blade across his neck.
Crying out he begged. "No I swear it's a well known fact in her office the braided one was caught going through the house to hunt for his gifts the whore she lives with the.." Gabriel deliberately let the knife pierce the side of his neck.
"What a potty mouth you have lets keep this polite."
"It's true one of the men is screwing the secretary she tells him whatever he wants to know she thinks he's a fan of the minister."
"Ok assuming I buy this what is this gift?"
The man coughed then laughed sardonically. "It's a motorcycle." Gabriel looked stumped for a minute then shrugged. "Go on."
"The boy starts the bike then good riddance Peacecraft and Preventers all in one shot." Gabriel stared at the pitiful excuse for humanity silently weighing judging.
"Its true I swear."
"I believe you but I think with something this important there is a contingency plan if the guy doesn't start it right?"
The man swallowed, "I don't know what you mean." The knife flashed in the darkness grazing his neck again. The man whimpered feeling the sting. "OK, ok one of the teams has a remote detonator if it hasn't blown an hour after then they will flip the switch. Poetic justice so to speak."
"Justice." Gabriel smiled coldly, "you didn't even have the conviction to die for your beliefs you sniveling coward." Slamming the knife in the side of his neck he watched him twitch then finally still. "I lied suffer in Hell."
Wiping his knife contemptuously on the man's clothes he stood. "There were two they didn't want to hedge their bets bastards." Taking a moment to silently search the area he sheathed his knife then looked skyward to gauge the time. He had wasted more than he wanted to now he was going to have to push hard.
Relena stared fixedly out the window at two small pinpoints of light the only thing telling her where the main gate was in a sea of blackness. For a moment she felt over whelmed, in the dark with the flurries dancing before the window it seemed as if her loneliness was crushing her even surrounded by family and friends. God why couldn't she focus on all the good things she did have in her life? Her lips twisted wryly, because it's human nature to always want what you don't have. In this at least I'm no different.
She blinked at the image slightly behind her in the glass. Taking a sip of Champagne to buy her some time she tried to dreg up some holiday cheer. She peeked at him from beneath her lashes and sighed. Nope he wasn't buying it. Two arms settled around her pulling her back against his chest. At first she stiffened even the slightest capitulation would give him an advantage and she was trying to do this for him. For them both they needed her out of their lives. Abruptly she slumped into his strength, as much as it pained her to admit it she just couldn't imagine a life separate than Heero's.
He silently waited strangely anxious letting her decide. "Heero some nights are worse than others their more intimidating. Doing what's best then is almost impossible when you have to fight your heart." She whispered.
He tightened his embrace a moment then relaxed. "What is it you think you have to fight?"
She sighed holding his gaze through the glass's reflection. "Duo and you have gone on in your life, mine..." she faltered. "We need.. I need, to find a way to say goodbye at least in some areas. Her hand gripped his tightly for a moment. "Except I don't know how to let go of you. I'll never love another man the way I do you and. It hurts."
He turned her lifting her chin with his knuckle he held her gaze with eyes infinitely patient and just a bit sad. "Have you ever thought that we get as much from this as you? Yes unfortunately you will move on. One day you will love someone besides me he fill up all those spaces Duo and I willingly fill. And when that happens, letting go for you wont be hard at all. For us it will be one of the saddest days of our lives. Because that will be the day you don't need us anymore." Her eyes filled with tears as she silently shook her head no. Heero's mouth curled slightly in a patient smile and pulled her against his chest.
"Until then let's cherish our time together?"
Relena felt the solid length of a body press against her back now arms enclosed her from the front and behind the soft brush of Duo's lips against her ear caused a shiver as he whispered. "So no more talk of leaving please." A watery laugh escaped the sneaky devils they had double-teamed her.
She leaned back against Duo then lifted her head to meet Heero's gaze. "Whatever comes both of you will always hold a special place yours all alone. Relena sighed. What am I going to do with you two?"
"Well you could cut ole Pagan some slack he's been anxiously trying to get your attention for the last fifteen minutes. I'm guessing he wants present instructions." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "No Duo."
"Ahh Lena just one."
She and Heero exchanged a look. "No Duo." She squeezed Heero affectionately before pulling away. Duo followed her shifting from her left to right side as she walked.
"Ahh come on Princess, have a heart I had a deprived childhood."
She cut him a look. "Good try Maxwell."
They entered the dinning room. "Sheesh.. Alright, alright. I'll let you see one Heero got you if..."
" Duo.."
" Ahh Heero, please."
" No and if you tell Relena what I got her you'll be sorry."
"I can not believe it. Lena! Help." She shook her head and grinned. "Nope your on your own flyboy."
Wufei pulled out a chair for Sally. "Maxwell have some dignity your like a child."
Duo's eyebrow lifted haughtily. "I might have known the two bah humbugs would take sides."
Sally laughed, "ignore him Duo I think it's sweet."
He bowed. "Thank you Sally when are you going to dump this stiff and run off with me?" Wufei swore.
Zechs rolled his eyes. "Duo sit down and stop taunting Chang so we can eat sometime tonight."
"Oi someone's grumpy."
Zechs looked upward as if seeking divine intervention. "I am not grumpy. I would just like to eat. I'm sure I'm not the only one hungry. Now that we know Quatre won't be in until early morning, I'd like to tell the chef he can start serving before he quits all together."
Relena and Catherine looked at each other across the table. Relena held it in until she saw the corresponding twinkle in Catherine's eyes then lost it. They both broke out giggling. "Relena.. Zechs said in a pained voice. "Don't encourage him."
Lucrezia leaned over and patted his hand. "It's alright sweetheart think of this as practice for children of your own someday." Zechs blanched.
Duo laughed. "That I want to see Lu."
"Well I for one think Milliardo would make a wonderful father."
Catherine laughed, "subtle Relena very subtle."
She wrinkled her nose. "What? If I don't say something at least once a visit they'll never make me an aunt."
Zechs eyebrow lifted quizzically. "Why don't you have one of your own?"
Relena looked startled then intrigued. She looked at Heero intently, "I may just do that if I can get some cooperation." Heero blinked startled. Duo whooped, "hot damn!" The corner of Trowa's mouth lifted briefly as he sat back and prepared for the explosion. Wufei head collapsed into the palm of his hand as sure enough chaos erupted around the table.
Lucrezia signaled Pagan yelling over her husband's "discussion" with Relena. "Pagan if you would be so kind to serve dinner I think perhaps something is needed to calm everyone's nerves."
He bowed lips twitching. "Very good mam."
Relena moved to the bed yawning the occasional grin lighting her face at her brother's fit tonight. She shrugged out of her robe and slipped into bed snuggling beneath the covers she was almost asleep when it occurred to her she hadn't talked to Pagan about those gifts. She groaned weighing the pros and cons about whether she really needed to do that tonight or not. Burrowing deeper into the covers she tried to make that nagging little voice go away. It didn't. Relena growled throwing the covers back she stood grabbing her robe. She opened her door peering both ways then headed silently down the stairs.
Bypassing the house security was difficult but doable. The hardest had been tracking the back up team once he found them it was a snore to relieve them of the remote. Still he wasn't taking any chances he wanted the bombs away from the Minister. Which was why he was here risking life and limb breaking into a house full of exGundam pilots and Preventors and a shit load of security. Gabriel had one left to get and had just entered the garage when he heard a sound swearing silently he melded into the shadows as the door creaked silently open.
Relena decided to check on the motorcycles before she went to bed she wouldn't have put it past Duo to bug her office if he thought it would get him a hint of what she got him. She stepped down into the garage and felt along the wall when a hand grabbed her jerking her sideways. She gasped as an arm came around her neck all but choking her.
"Not a sound. Understand?"
Relena froze not moving, not even breathing, a dozen scenarios went through her mind but the one that stood out the most was her friends and family were upstairs vulnerable. She wasn't about to let anything happen to them so she stood there and nodded silently.
"Now want to tell me why you wandering the house when everyone else is in bed?" Relena stood there silent he didn't sound like he wanted an answer it sounded resigned, irritated, and mildly amused, but not curious. She felt him stiffen suddenly. "Good Lord woman don't you have anything heavier to wear? Are you trying to catch pneumonia?" Relena blinked an assassin worried about me catching cold?
She wondered if she had fallen asleep and was having some surreal dream. "I wasn't planning on staying long," she whispered hoarsely. "I just wanted to check on some gifts I got for my friends."
"If you promise not to scream I'll let you go I need ten minutes tops can you do that?" He grinned in the dark he could almost hear her mind considering the options. "Not doable hm?" His arm eased a bit from around her neck. "Not real talkative are you? He felt her stiffen.
"Well decide whether you want me to not make a sound or entertain. The thief? Murder? Terrorist? That's broken into my home."
"Ouch I'm hurt Princess." Gabriel swore causing Relena to flinch. "We got company."
Relena swallowed, and then nervously wet her lips. "Please don't hurt anyone I'll cooperate just don't hurt him."
"Anything hmm? Must be something to have someone care that much for you? Must be quite a guy."
"Relena?" She flinched her eyes darting toward the door.
"Please," she whispered. "I give you my word. I'll reassure him then return I don't want anyone hurt because of me."
"Lady I can't decide if you're crazy or naïve. I'd have to be crazy myself to agree to that. Ok you got your shot you foul this up and you'll beg for death but not until after I've finished them."
Shakily she nodded then tilted her chin defiantly. "You just keep your word," she whispered. "Or it will be you praying for death."
Hurrying across the floor she caught the door, as it swung open. "Heero," she scolded. "Just what do you think your doing?" She shifted in front of him blocking his view.
His eyes narrowed searchingly. "Are you alright I thought I heard.. Something."
Relena smirked, "right.." He looked at her probingly. "Relena what's wrong?"
She laughed, "ha nice try Soldier boy." She took his arm and steered him back the way he came. "But if I won't let Duo peek that means you too."
"Relena.."
She tilted her chin. "No Heero I mean it this years gift's will be a surprise or I mean to know why."
Gabriel shook his head as the voices faded he waited to make sure she really did it then set to work removing the last bomb from the premises. If he was lucky he would be done before she returned. He wondered why that disappointed him so. He had to admit meeting her this way surprised him he had meant to only observe her. In some ways she surprised him she was more and less than what he imagined. More real, more desirable.. More unobtainable for him anyway. When was the last time he noticed how a woman smelled? The little voice within whispered. Never.
Still she wasn't an Angel in spite of the rhetoric of the time she was real and warm and so very fragile. Somehow within that glass tank she had become larger than life, indestructible. She wasn't. Well he was right when he told the General his opinion of the Minister would change. Change was suppose to be a good thing well things changed all right they went from bad to worse. Keeping his distance from her would be almost impossible.
Shaking off his musing he straightened shoving the bomb into the bag around his waist he stood his eyes doing a thorough sweep to confirm he had left no traces when the door slowly opened lifting his gun he slipped into the shadows. Relena stood on the steps a moment silhouetted in the light shining behind her then entered letting the door quietly latch. Shit he had hoped to be gone. "Hmm a politician that keeps their word how refreshing. What did you do with lover boy?"
She frowned her eyes squinting into the darkness. "Heero went to his room."
"Hmm, good girl. Ok Princess over here."
Again she frowned into the room. "That might be allot easier if I could see where over here was." She said tartly. He laughed. Relena cautiously moved further into the room feeling her way as she went. She turned in a circle silently trying to pierce the gloom when an arm snaked around her jerking her up against him.
"What to do about you? I know you won't believe this but I really didn't come here to hurt you."
The door slid open and shut startling them both as the room once more settled into darkness. "Your right about one thing," a voice said flatly. I don't believe it and I'm the one holding the gun." The arm around her waist tightened dragging her back with him as he moved further back into the shadows.
"O god Heero. No!" Her hands jerked upward to clasp the arm holding her. "Please don't."
"Christ don't you people know what a bed is?"
"Heero it's alright he's not here to hurt anyone and if."
"Relena don't move around so much."
"Heero," she said desperately.
"Shh it's OK Princess trust me." Gabriel murmured. "I don't need him dead to complete my mission."
"You won't get out of here alive."
" No Heero, I promised you. Don't!"
She felt something lightly brush the side of her head then shivered as he whispered softly in her ear. "Trust me this won't hurt but you'll wake with a hell of a headache." She felt something drop across her shoulder then a hand slide up to settle between the junction of her neck and shoulder. And gradually tighten. Relena gasped her hands jerked up and encircled his wrist dark splotches strobed in front of her eyes as she fell down a well. Her vision became darker and darker and her last thought was now there was no one to keep Heero from doing something reckless.
Gabriel caught her as she slumped his eyes piercing the darkness zeroed in on Heero. "I know you can see me and you know she's all right just unconscious. I couldn't risk her doing something stupid thinking she needed to save you. Nor can I risk you shooting me full of holes. Your right about one thing someone meant her harm in the bag on her shoulder are the bombs I took from the house and .." He hesitated slightly. "Mawell's Christmas gift."
"Then drop your weapon and answer some questions then you won't have to worry about me killing you."
Gabriel laughed as he edged toward his exit. "I'm afraid your reputation has preceded you and explanations would only get me a rubber room. I only have a narrow window left to make sure she's safe before I leave here. I don't suppose the fact I disabled the bombs and left the source of them scattered across the Peacecraft's lawn would convince you to let me go?" Gabriel ducked as a bullet whizzed past his face. "I didn't think so. OK we'll do it your way."
Holstering his gun he palmed the remote off the worktable then swept her up in his arms. Looking down he allowed himself one glimpse before he left eyes softened tenderly. Anyone knowing him would be shocked a faint smile just teased the corners of his mouth caressing her features with equal parts affection and exasperation. Slowly walking toward Heero he stopped far enough away that his features were still cloaked. Pushing the button on the remote he waited until Heero swung toward the sound of the garage opening before he yelled catch. Tossing Relena at Heero's he dove for the door as it slowly lifted rolling underneath he punched the button again closing it. The last thing he saw as the door slide closed, was Heero clutching Relena to his chest, as he met Gabriel's eyes with ruthless determination right until the door closed with a final click.
Thru the Looking Glass
He stumbled across the back up team about a hundred yards from the fence perimeter that surrounded the Peacecraft compound. It wasn't hard to lead them away. A shadow here a crunch of snow there the first one had his neck snapped before he even knew what happened. Gabriel smiled. The man on the ground whimpered knowing he was looking death in the face. Even if he could work a deal, at the most all he could do was buy himself some time because there was no mercy anywhere in those eyes. Gabriel crouched down in front of the man pulling a wicked blade from the small of his back. What a pathetic looser this it was the refuse that robbed the world of some of its best and brightest people? He stared at the man with eyes that blazed pure fire it was a chilling contrast to the smiled that was so detached and malicious. He prayed. That's when the demon from hell laughed.
"God?" A hint of derision entered his voice. "You pray to a deity that embodies love and peace while plotting to do murder?" In a movement to fast to follow the knife flashed in the moonlight and left a trail of blood across his cheek. He whimpered
Gabriel studied him thoughtfully. "I tell you what I'll do tell me how many more of you are on the grounds and where the bomb is? And I'll make your death as quick and painless as possible." The man shook his head and made an aborted attempt to push himself back when Gabriel slammed the knife down through his hand pinning him to the ground. His mouth opened to scream only to receive a blow across his throat cutting the sound off into a muffled garble.
"Uhh uhh uhhh this is a one time offer I know generally the where. What I'm asking is confirmation will save me time. Time I'm wasting on you and that's just going to piss me off and trust me you don't want me angry."
He stared into pain-glazed eyes intently to see if he understood what he was saying. Gabriel slapped his face and the man jerked his eyes focusing on his face swallowing painfully.
"Two more," he whispered hoarsely. He pulled the knife out slowly and the man moaned eyes rolling back in his head. Gabriel sighed poking him under the chin with the blade hard enough to draw blood.
"Not yet. Where are they?" He trembled shaking his head his eyes slid closed trying to block out the horror. Gabriel slid the knife up until the point was felt near the man's eye and rubbed it back and forth. He leaned in and spoke the menace in his tone told the man he didn't have long to live. "I can slit your eye lids open and you won't be able to close your eyes there is a least a hundred ways to die and more when you add variations."
Suddenly fed up he nicked the corner of the man's eye. "I have mastered them all but I don't get much call to demonstrate anymore because no one is stupid enough to make me ask them a second time. Are you that stupid dick head?" The man's eyes popped opened and widened at how eager he sounded.
"The old man," he gushed.
"What old man? Is he a part of this?"
The man shook his head frantically. "The queens servant he's going to pick up gifts left with her secretary.
" Gifts what bullshit." He flicked the blade across his neck.
Crying out he begged. "No I swear it's a well known fact in her office the braided one was caught going through the house to hunt for his gifts the whore she lives with the.." Gabriel deliberately let the knife pierce the side of his neck.
"What a potty mouth you have lets keep this polite."
"It's true one of the men is screwing the secretary she tells him whatever he wants to know she thinks he's a fan of the minister."
"Ok assuming I buy this what is this gift?"
The man coughed then laughed sardonically. "It's a motorcycle." Gabriel looked stumped for a minute then shrugged. "Go on."
"The boy starts the bike then good riddance Peacecraft and Preventers all in one shot." Gabriel stared at the pitiful excuse for humanity silently weighing judging.
"Its true I swear."
"I believe you but I think with something this important there is a contingency plan if the guy doesn't start it right?"
The man swallowed, "I don't know what you mean." The knife flashed in the darkness grazing his neck again. The man whimpered feeling the sting. "OK, ok one of the teams has a remote detonator if it hasn't blown an hour after then they will flip the switch. Poetic justice so to speak."
"Justice." Gabriel smiled coldly, "you didn't even have the conviction to die for your beliefs you sniveling coward." Slamming the knife in the side of his neck he watched him twitch then finally still. "I lied suffer in Hell."
Wiping his knife contemptuously on the man's clothes he stood. "There were two they didn't want to hedge their bets bastards." Taking a moment to silently search the area he sheathed his knife then looked skyward to gauge the time. He had wasted more than he wanted to now he was going to have to push hard.
Relena stared fixedly out the window at two small pinpoints of light the only thing telling her where the main gate was in a sea of blackness. For a moment she felt over whelmed, in the dark with the flurries dancing before the window it seemed as if her loneliness was crushing her even surrounded by family and friends. God why couldn't she focus on all the good things she did have in her life? Her lips twisted wryly, because it's human nature to always want what you don't have. In this at least I'm no different.
She blinked at the image slightly behind her in the glass. Taking a sip of Champagne to buy her some time she tried to dreg up some holiday cheer. She peeked at him from beneath her lashes and sighed. Nope he wasn't buying it. Two arms settled around her pulling her back against his chest. At first she stiffened even the slightest capitulation would give him an advantage and she was trying to do this for him. For them both they needed her out of their lives. Abruptly she slumped into his strength, as much as it pained her to admit it she just couldn't imagine a life separate than Heero's.
He silently waited strangely anxious letting her decide. "Heero some nights are worse than others their more intimidating. Doing what's best then is almost impossible when you have to fight your heart." She whispered.
He tightened his embrace a moment then relaxed. "What is it you think you have to fight?"
She sighed holding his gaze through the glass's reflection. "Duo and you have gone on in your life, mine..." she faltered. "We need.. I need, to find a way to say goodbye at least in some areas. Her hand gripped his tightly for a moment. "Except I don't know how to let go of you. I'll never love another man the way I do you and. It hurts."
He turned her lifting her chin with his knuckle he held her gaze with eyes infinitely patient and just a bit sad. "Have you ever thought that we get as much from this as you? Yes unfortunately you will move on. One day you will love someone besides me he fill up all those spaces Duo and I willingly fill. And when that happens, letting go for you wont be hard at all. For us it will be one of the saddest days of our lives. Because that will be the day you don't need us anymore." Her eyes filled with tears as she silently shook her head no. Heero's mouth curled slightly in a patient smile and pulled her against his chest.
"Until then let's cherish our time together?"
Relena felt the solid length of a body press against her back now arms enclosed her from the front and behind the soft brush of Duo's lips against her ear caused a shiver as he whispered. "So no more talk of leaving please." A watery laugh escaped the sneaky devils they had double-teamed her.
She leaned back against Duo then lifted her head to meet Heero's gaze. "Whatever comes both of you will always hold a special place yours all alone. Relena sighed. What am I going to do with you two?"
"Well you could cut ole Pagan some slack he's been anxiously trying to get your attention for the last fifteen minutes. I'm guessing he wants present instructions." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
She tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "No Duo."
"Ahh Lena just one."
She and Heero exchanged a look. "No Duo." She squeezed Heero affectionately before pulling away. Duo followed her shifting from her left to right side as she walked.
"Ahh come on Princess, have a heart I had a deprived childhood."
She cut him a look. "Good try Maxwell."
They entered the dinning room. "Sheesh.. Alright, alright. I'll let you see one Heero got you if..."
" Duo.."
" Ahh Heero, please."
" No and if you tell Relena what I got her you'll be sorry."
"I can not believe it. Lena! Help." She shook her head and grinned. "Nope your on your own flyboy."
Wufei pulled out a chair for Sally. "Maxwell have some dignity your like a child."
Duo's eyebrow lifted haughtily. "I might have known the two bah humbugs would take sides."
Sally laughed, "ignore him Duo I think it's sweet."
He bowed. "Thank you Sally when are you going to dump this stiff and run off with me?" Wufei swore.
Zechs rolled his eyes. "Duo sit down and stop taunting Chang so we can eat sometime tonight."
"Oi someone's grumpy."
Zechs looked upward as if seeking divine intervention. "I am not grumpy. I would just like to eat. I'm sure I'm not the only one hungry. Now that we know Quatre won't be in until early morning, I'd like to tell the chef he can start serving before he quits all together."
Relena and Catherine looked at each other across the table. Relena held it in until she saw the corresponding twinkle in Catherine's eyes then lost it. They both broke out giggling. "Relena.. Zechs said in a pained voice. "Don't encourage him."
Lucrezia leaned over and patted his hand. "It's alright sweetheart think of this as practice for children of your own someday." Zechs blanched.
Duo laughed. "That I want to see Lu."
"Well I for one think Milliardo would make a wonderful father."
Catherine laughed, "subtle Relena very subtle."
She wrinkled her nose. "What? If I don't say something at least once a visit they'll never make me an aunt."
Zechs eyebrow lifted quizzically. "Why don't you have one of your own?"
Relena looked startled then intrigued. She looked at Heero intently, "I may just do that if I can get some cooperation." Heero blinked startled. Duo whooped, "hot damn!" The corner of Trowa's mouth lifted briefly as he sat back and prepared for the explosion. Wufei head collapsed into the palm of his hand as sure enough chaos erupted around the table.
Lucrezia signaled Pagan yelling over her husband's "discussion" with Relena. "Pagan if you would be so kind to serve dinner I think perhaps something is needed to calm everyone's nerves."
He bowed lips twitching. "Very good mam."
Relena moved to the bed yawning the occasional grin lighting her face at her brother's fit tonight. She shrugged out of her robe and slipped into bed snuggling beneath the covers she was almost asleep when it occurred to her she hadn't talked to Pagan about those gifts. She groaned weighing the pros and cons about whether she really needed to do that tonight or not. Burrowing deeper into the covers she tried to make that nagging little voice go away. It didn't. Relena growled throwing the covers back she stood grabbing her robe. She opened her door peering both ways then headed silently down the stairs.
Bypassing the house security was difficult but doable. The hardest had been tracking the back up team once he found them it was a snore to relieve them of the remote. Still he wasn't taking any chances he wanted the bombs away from the Minister. Which was why he was here risking life and limb breaking into a house full of exGundam pilots and Preventors and a shit load of security. Gabriel had one left to get and had just entered the garage when he heard a sound swearing silently he melded into the shadows as the door creaked silently open.
Relena decided to check on the motorcycles before she went to bed she wouldn't have put it past Duo to bug her office if he thought it would get him a hint of what she got him. She stepped down into the garage and felt along the wall when a hand grabbed her jerking her sideways. She gasped as an arm came around her neck all but choking her.
"Not a sound. Understand?"
Relena froze not moving, not even breathing, a dozen scenarios went through her mind but the one that stood out the most was her friends and family were upstairs vulnerable. She wasn't about to let anything happen to them so she stood there and nodded silently.
"Now want to tell me why you wandering the house when everyone else is in bed?" Relena stood there silent he didn't sound like he wanted an answer it sounded resigned, irritated, and mildly amused, but not curious. She felt him stiffen suddenly. "Good Lord woman don't you have anything heavier to wear? Are you trying to catch pneumonia?" Relena blinked an assassin worried about me catching cold?
She wondered if she had fallen asleep and was having some surreal dream. "I wasn't planning on staying long," she whispered hoarsely. "I just wanted to check on some gifts I got for my friends."
"If you promise not to scream I'll let you go I need ten minutes tops can you do that?" He grinned in the dark he could almost hear her mind considering the options. "Not doable hm?" His arm eased a bit from around her neck. "Not real talkative are you? He felt her stiffen.
"Well decide whether you want me to not make a sound or entertain. The thief? Murder? Terrorist? That's broken into my home."
"Ouch I'm hurt Princess." Gabriel swore causing Relena to flinch. "We got company."
Relena swallowed, and then nervously wet her lips. "Please don't hurt anyone I'll cooperate just don't hurt him."
"Anything hmm? Must be something to have someone care that much for you? Must be quite a guy."
"Relena?" She flinched her eyes darting toward the door.
"Please," she whispered. "I give you my word. I'll reassure him then return I don't want anyone hurt because of me."
"Lady I can't decide if you're crazy or naïve. I'd have to be crazy myself to agree to that. Ok you got your shot you foul this up and you'll beg for death but not until after I've finished them."
Shakily she nodded then tilted her chin defiantly. "You just keep your word," she whispered. "Or it will be you praying for death."
Hurrying across the floor she caught the door, as it swung open. "Heero," she scolded. "Just what do you think your doing?" She shifted in front of him blocking his view.
His eyes narrowed searchingly. "Are you alright I thought I heard.. Something."
Relena smirked, "right.." He looked at her probingly. "Relena what's wrong?"
She laughed, "ha nice try Soldier boy." She took his arm and steered him back the way he came. "But if I won't let Duo peek that means you too."
"Relena.."
She tilted her chin. "No Heero I mean it this years gift's will be a surprise or I mean to know why."
Gabriel shook his head as the voices faded he waited to make sure she really did it then set to work removing the last bomb from the premises. If he was lucky he would be done before she returned. He wondered why that disappointed him so. He had to admit meeting her this way surprised him he had meant to only observe her. In some ways she surprised him she was more and less than what he imagined. More real, more desirable.. More unobtainable for him anyway. When was the last time he noticed how a woman smelled? The little voice within whispered. Never.
Still she wasn't an Angel in spite of the rhetoric of the time she was real and warm and so very fragile. Somehow within that glass tank she had become larger than life, indestructible. She wasn't. Well he was right when he told the General his opinion of the Minister would change. Change was suppose to be a good thing well things changed all right they went from bad to worse. Keeping his distance from her would be almost impossible.
Shaking off his musing he straightened shoving the bomb into the bag around his waist he stood his eyes doing a thorough sweep to confirm he had left no traces when the door slowly opened lifting his gun he slipped into the shadows. Relena stood on the steps a moment silhouetted in the light shining behind her then entered letting the door quietly latch. Shit he had hoped to be gone. "Hmm a politician that keeps their word how refreshing. What did you do with lover boy?"
She frowned her eyes squinting into the darkness. "Heero went to his room."
"Hmm, good girl. Ok Princess over here."
Again she frowned into the room. "That might be allot easier if I could see where over here was." She said tartly. He laughed. Relena cautiously moved further into the room feeling her way as she went. She turned in a circle silently trying to pierce the gloom when an arm snaked around her jerking her up against him.
"What to do about you? I know you won't believe this but I really didn't come here to hurt you."
The door slid open and shut startling them both as the room once more settled into darkness. "Your right about one thing," a voice said flatly. I don't believe it and I'm the one holding the gun." The arm around her waist tightened dragging her back with him as he moved further back into the shadows.
"O god Heero. No!" Her hands jerked upward to clasp the arm holding her. "Please don't."
"Christ don't you people know what a bed is?"
"Heero it's alright he's not here to hurt anyone and if."
"Relena don't move around so much."
"Heero," she said desperately.
"Shh it's OK Princess trust me." Gabriel murmured. "I don't need him dead to complete my mission."
"You won't get out of here alive."
" No Heero, I promised you. Don't!"
She felt something lightly brush the side of her head then shivered as he whispered softly in her ear. "Trust me this won't hurt but you'll wake with a hell of a headache." She felt something drop across her shoulder then a hand slide up to settle between the junction of her neck and shoulder. And gradually tighten. Relena gasped her hands jerked up and encircled his wrist dark splotches strobed in front of her eyes as she fell down a well. Her vision became darker and darker and her last thought was now there was no one to keep Heero from doing something reckless.
Gabriel caught her as she slumped his eyes piercing the darkness zeroed in on Heero. "I know you can see me and you know she's all right just unconscious. I couldn't risk her doing something stupid thinking she needed to save you. Nor can I risk you shooting me full of holes. Your right about one thing someone meant her harm in the bag on her shoulder are the bombs I took from the house and .." He hesitated slightly. "Mawell's Christmas gift."
"Then drop your weapon and answer some questions then you won't have to worry about me killing you."
Gabriel laughed as he edged toward his exit. "I'm afraid your reputation has preceded you and explanations would only get me a rubber room. I only have a narrow window left to make sure she's safe before I leave here. I don't suppose the fact I disabled the bombs and left the source of them scattered across the Peacecraft's lawn would convince you to let me go?" Gabriel ducked as a bullet whizzed past his face. "I didn't think so. OK we'll do it your way."
Holstering his gun he palmed the remote off the worktable then swept her up in his arms. Looking down he allowed himself one glimpse before he left eyes softened tenderly. Anyone knowing him would be shocked a faint smile just teased the corners of his mouth caressing her features with equal parts affection and exasperation. Slowly walking toward Heero he stopped far enough away that his features were still cloaked. Pushing the button on the remote he waited until Heero swung toward the sound of the garage opening before he yelled catch. Tossing Relena at Heero's he dove for the door as it slowly lifted rolling underneath he punched the button again closing it. The last thing he saw as the door slide closed, was Heero clutching Relena to his chest, as he met Gabriel's eyes with ruthless determination right until the door closed with a final click.