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.
Expectations
Gabriel straightened staring down at the terrified guest. "Look at it this way your loss will be for a worthy cause." Smoothing his borrowed vest down he shrugged into the jacket making sure it covered the gun in the small of his back. "A bit tight." He shrugged philosophically he adjusted the arms over the twin blades. "But I do appreciate your sacrifice."
He squatted down eyeing the sweating man consideringly. "The good news is your going to live because you can't identify me. Now I've went to allot of trouble to do that so be a good boy stay quiet and I'll be back and I'll let you go. You screw this up and I'll gut you and leave you in the garbage. Capiche?" The man bobbed his head frantically. Gabriel slapped him on the back. "It's a deal then." He rose in a smooth movement and headed for the door listening carefully for a moment he quietly opened it and slipped out. The moment the door quietly snicked closed the man fell face first against the floor.
"OK Princess heres the deal, we get in there, you're welcomed blah blah they pass you around the room, we taste the horse doovers and then we book. You stay within sight of one of us got it?"
Relena smiled ruefully. "Duo breath this is the third time that you've told me this. I promise you if it wasn't for welcoming the Representatives of the Mars colony we would be at home stuffing ourselves on pizza."
Duo sighed blowing his bangs upward. "I know, I know."
She frowned moving closer she smoothed his bangs capturing his face. "What is it? Tell me."
"I just.."
The door opened and Zechs stuck his head in. " Relena their ready for you."
She held Duo's gaze. "Alright just a moment."
"Relena please.."
Relena rolled her eyes and smiled; standing on her tiptoes she kissed his cheek. "Come on lets feed you. You'll feel loads better then." She took his arm and moved to the door Zechs stepped back to let her pass but she paused admiring him as she brushed his hair back into place. "Nice, very nice." She kissed his cheek. "Don't look so grim you should enjoy this as well while they're here you've worked closely with these people they speak quite highly of you."
His frowned smoothed and a smiled softened his face. "Just don't forget as soon as dinner.."
She laughed as she moved down the hall. "I'm so proud of you that was a whole five minutes before you started lecturing me on security. Your getting better big brother I know the drill I'm welcomed blahh blahh. I smooze. I eat. Then we leave."
Zechs grabbed Duo's arm as he went to pass and murmured softly. "Don't let her out of your sight I don't like the fact bodies keep popping up everywhere she goes."
Duo growled, "I can't say it's thrilling me any either."
She gently cleared her throat. "Gentlemen I can't go out there without you."
Zechs dropped his hand and gestured mockingly. "After you."
Grumbling Duo caught up with Relena as she giggled. A smile lingered on Zechs face until they turned the corner then it slowly disappeared. The hardest thing in the world was not letting his guilt color his relationship with Relena god knows she really didn't blame him. Well so she said, until he starts with the cotton wrapping. She just couldn't understand how hard it was to cut that part of himself away to stay alive all those years and he hoped to god she never would. That he felt secure enough to let her in and others truly was a testimony on how far he had come since Mariemeia giving her room to breath sometimes was allot easier said than done. There was a lot going on he didn't understand even Lu was quieter these last few weeks it worried him but since they both respected each other's personal space all he could do was he bid his time until she told him what was wrong. Zechs face tightened eyes glittered ruthlessly his thoughts turning darker as he slowly followed behind he liked his life now and nothing or no one was going to take it away.
Heero moved along the outer edges of the reception blending into the background his eyes restlessly moving. Pausing in an alcove, one side of his mouth turned up in a wry half smile as Relena was announced and entered the reception with a sulky Duo. Zechs stood slightly behind looking grimmer than usual apparently they had already been at it this evening and Zechs had won the opening volley. He studied Relena objectively there was color in her face and a sparkle in her eye that had been missing the last few weeks. Whatever Zechs had done it was well worth it to see her looking herself once again and whatever he had to do later to coax Duo out of his sulk well he smirked truth be told he looked forward to it. Something moved out of the corner of his eye glancing up he eyed the upper lever piercingly he wished Chang was here his Katana swinging paranoia would be most welcome right about now. But Noin had vetoed both of them for field work. He shrugged it must have been important for Wufei to let her without an argument. Taping his earcom he continued to search the shadows above.
"Beechome report."
"Nothing on this end sir." As he listened to the rest of the upper level security reporting in he should have been satisfied but he wasn't. He was still uneasy something was up.
"Heero?
"I'll check it out Noin and let you know."
"Where?"
"Upper level right quad."
"Negative I'll go."
"I..."
Lucrezia cut him off abruptly there was an intensity in her tone that had him suddenly speculative. "No Heero, I want you close in case we miss something I'll go and report in five."
"Affirmative. Five if I don't hear from you by then I'll come in myself."
"Acknowledged."
Lucrezia moved through the upper level pausing she glanced below where Heero was stationed as if he felt her look he inclined his head before he was once again swallowed up by crowd. Stepping back into the shadows she headed toward what she suspected.. hoped was in reality Relena's phantom. It was funny really she wasn't sure she wanted to look to closely at her reasons for wanting to meet him so badly. She could do what the journal asked without drawing undue attention to herself. A whisper of sound made her pause nothing specific but just the slightest whisper carried to where she froze Lucrezia lifted her skirt and pulled her gun eyeing the door wryly before she pushed it open.
Entering warily through the outer lounge she gently nudged open the door to the men's facilities cautiously taking in the stalls and urinals she moved slowly toward the body on the floor. Standing over the body she stopped all her senses straining outward eyes sweeping the interior before she finally knelt and felt for a pulse. Dead. Rolling him over she looked for the cause. He was a big man; strong looking but someone snapped his neck like kindling.
Lucrezia stood and moved back through the bathroom her heels clicking loudly on the tiles glancing back over her shoulder she swept the room once more before slipping through the opening. Moving into the lounge she opened the door and let it swing closed shaking her head at such subterfuge before moving silently back into the lounge. She took a seat in the chair facing the door. Checking her watch she shifted getting comfortable crossing her legs she laid the gun across it the picture of patience and waited even though her mind screamed a countdown. They were running out of time and the last thing she wanted was Heero up here. Don't disappoint me Gabriel.
That's how Gabriel found her when he finally called her bluff sitting as if she had all the time in the world. Still she couldn't quite stop that tell tale sigh of relief.
Gabriel pushed the door open with his foot and exited his hands out at his sides. They stood there in silence studying each other. Lucrezia stood slowly moving closer she stopped the moment she saw his eyes and gasped. My god no wonder Relena trusted him. Her eyes moved on over his features taking in the long loose hair her lips tilted slightly. At least he didn't have a braid that would be tantamount to a neon sign proclaiming his parentage for all it's worth. She smiled at the color at least he got something from her those blue-black tints could have came from anyone but she took an odd comfort from the fact that they were the exact shade of her own. His eyes narrowed.
"You know who I am, I find that very intriguing."
She shrugged silently. "Why are you here?"
His face reserved became even more so with the question as his eyes grew shuttered. "O I was in the neighborhood heard they were having some killer eats turns out you just had some killers. There's still one more you know. I don't suppose you would let me finish what I started?"
Lucrezia shook her head amazed. "If Heero doesn't shoot you, Duo will there is to much unexplained happening around Relena lately everyone is jumpy. Stay away and let us do it. He's already seen you once tonight." He stared impassively she couldn't tell if what she said reached him or not. "Where is the suspect?"
Gabriel expression softened, "you know I like you this way there's still a hope in your eyes that hasn't been stamped out yet.
Lucrezia faltered, "wha?"
But he was already closing back up his face tightened taking on a forbidding stamp. "It wasn't me he saw." He raked his hands through his hair impatiently. "I can't. I won't take the chance."
She frowned. "Why?" Her watch beeped startled she looked down and swore she was out of time. "Quiet," she hissed. "Heero."
"Go ahead."
"I got a body male, very dead. I'm going to call for a clean up team. Then proceed with the rest of the sweep." Her eyes lifted and held Gabriel's. "Heero we may have at least one more. Repeat. One other hostile."
"Acknowledged. The Mars delegation arrived, she's making her rounds we can start moving her out. I'll send back up."
"Negative. I'll finish my sweep," she murmured.
"Roger that."
"You didn't tell him."
She shook her head. "Go." She gestured with her gun.
He dropped his hands and strode across the room pulling the door open he stopped. He glanced back at her watching him. "Thanks I won't.."
"Go."
He grinned, "I'm gone." He turned back opening the door he looked both ways..
"Gabriel," she called impulsively.
He glanced over his shoulder enigmatically. "Don't worry I don't plan on dying just yet."
"If anyone suspects you're here." She trailed off.
His eyebrow quirked, "I know they're very protective of her."
She shook her head. "I was thinking about Zechs. Stay away from Zechs, Gabriel." He nodded his head then slipped away before she could say more. "Be careful." She whispered into the silence of the room.
Duo tapped his earcom in acknowledgement. Moving up behind her he cupped her elbow. Relena turned and smiled, "Duo I want you to meet Kevan Swayne he ."
Duo nodded abruptly. "Charmed." He leaned in close to her ear and whispered. "Come on angel past time you booked."
Relena looked startled for a moment then he watched comprehension dawn. Turning back she offered a practiced smile. "I'm sorry Kevan. Duo has just reminded me about an appointment I can't break. I am sorry about cutting our reunion short it was nice to see you again."
She went to move off when he clasped her arm detaining her. He smiled smoothly, " I can't let you leave me now."
Duo muttered just loud enough for Relena to hear. "Let me help you then."
Relena gently squeezed Duo's hand against her side but her eyes sparkled with suppressed mirth.
Maybe we can do this again sometime?" He pleaded charmingly
"Relena." Zechs moved forward frowning "We really need to go."
Kevan chuckled shifting again slightly, "of course she does but surely she can take a moment to reminisce with an old friend."
"Perhaps another time Kevan my time just isn't my own anymore." Relena smiled apologetically.
"But I understood you were pulling back delegating more so you could have more free time."
"Well I."
"Relena."
She glanced up at her brother's grim face and nodded. Turning back she smiled. "Call me we'll work something out." With that she turned back letting Zechs take her arm
"Relena just a moment you didn't.." Kevan reached for her arm pulling her off balance. That's when she felt it fire blazed a trail across her side before it went numb. She jerked back against Zechs in reflex. Relena felt him flinch, as everything seemed to happen at once. The chandelier above their heads exploded sending sparks and glass showering the guest and marbled floors as Relena was shoved forward into Zechs carrying them several feet. They all hit the ground hard. The force on top of her rolled them under the edge of the massive buffet as screams and shattering crystal filled the room.
Trying to push herself up Duo grunted pushing her head back down. "Damn it! Lena stay down until it's clear." Tilting her head up she looked up from Zechs chest trying to see his face clearly to make sure he was all right. He seemed fine but she watched in dismay as he transformed back into the man he was during the war. Or had it ever left him she thought sadly.
Shifting he glanced down he must of felt her stare because he tried to force a reassuring smile. Sliding out from under her he cupped her cheek. "You ok?" Wide eyed she leaned up painfully onto her side biting her lip she nodded. Relena watched him tap his earcom. "I'm on my way." He met Duo's gaze over her head. "Stay with her wait for my signal and then get her out of here."
He went to roll away. "Wait." She grabbed his arm wincing slightly as she did. "Where are you going?"
"They got two of them but there's still shooting."
"And you say I'm nuts.. Your not bullet proof you could get hurt they have us pinned." Duo amused snorted.
Zechs mouth twisted into a half smile. "Not if I get him first." Rolling out from underneath the table he lay there bullets seemed to fire in a continuous wave about the room. He waited to see some semblance of a pattern in it when he thought he found it he went. Moving from cover to cover he finally made his way to the second floor his back against the wall he paused and tapped his com.
"Yuy what's the hold up on the shooter?" He slid along the wall warily pushing doors open checking rooms as he came to them.
"No shooter it's programmed and bolted in," Heero came back flatly.
Zechs stopped, "say again?"
"The gun is on a program I'm hacking it now."
"Where?"
"Third level some sort of greenhouse."
The hair stood on the back of his neck. In one quick movement he spun crouched and shot. "Zechs?" He froze there still crouched his eyes probing the darkness. Nothing moved, nothing breathed yet he would have bet his life his instincts had been dead on.
"It's nothing I'm on my way."
Halfway there blessed silence reigned he sighed in relief until he saw the body with a hole in the center of it's head. He frowned Yuy. Crouching he turned the man's face toward the light no one he recognized standing he continued on. Coming into the solarium he loosened the top two buttons on his collar and scanned the room by rote. He caught himself searching Lucrezia thoroughly to make sure she was ok.
She nodded. "I'm all right. There's one on the second floor clean up had just arrived when the shooting started. O Zechs I'm so sorry."
He moved closer drawing her against his chest. "It's not your fault Lu," he murmured. Turning toward Heero his eyebrow lifted quizzically. " I thought I heard you say it was programmed."
He nodded. "It was. I found one hostile down the hall he was trying to lead me away when the shooting started."
Zechs frowned disapprovingly, "he's dead. Did we get anything useful?"
"I questioned him an unknown element has invited himself into their game and is systematically eliminating their people. They know he's not one of ours so they're getting
edgy. The guy Noin found was contracted out apparently they are running short on people willing to go against him."
His mouth quirked at the corner, "he was positively chatty with you. Tell me something we don't know Heero."
Heero smirked, "they call him the Demon."
Zechs turned, "aren't we all when provoked? Alright lets start getting people out and get some medical attention here for those that need it."
"I already made the call," Lucrezia murmured.
Zechs tapped his com. "Duo it's clear get her out. What? Shit.. We're on our way."
"Relena?"
Frustrated he glared over his shoulder at Lucrezia." She won't leave until she knows we're all right.
Heero shrugged, "so tell her."
"He tried that."
Heero tapped his com. "Duo pick her up and carry her out of here."
Zechs smiled, "I'm going to enjoy her tearing into you for a change."
Heero let go of the com and looked grim. "Lets go. Heero glared at the two Preventors. "Clean up and be careful when you unbolt it we need to study it more later."
Zechs frowned uneasily. " What?"
"He tried to pick her up."
Lucrezia frowned moving after him. "I don't understand.." They trailed after him as he went down the hall by the time he hit the stairs he was running. They looked at each other as comprehension dawned and started after him.
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.
Expectations
Gabriel straightened staring down at the terrified guest. "Look at it this way your loss will be for a worthy cause." Smoothing his borrowed vest down he shrugged into the jacket making sure it covered the gun in the small of his back. "A bit tight." He shrugged philosophically he adjusted the arms over the twin blades. "But I do appreciate your sacrifice."
He squatted down eyeing the sweating man consideringly. "The good news is your going to live because you can't identify me. Now I've went to allot of trouble to do that so be a good boy stay quiet and I'll be back and I'll let you go. You screw this up and I'll gut you and leave you in the garbage. Capiche?" The man bobbed his head frantically. Gabriel slapped him on the back. "It's a deal then." He rose in a smooth movement and headed for the door listening carefully for a moment he quietly opened it and slipped out. The moment the door quietly snicked closed the man fell face first against the floor.
"OK Princess heres the deal, we get in there, you're welcomed blah blah they pass you around the room, we taste the horse doovers and then we book. You stay within sight of one of us got it?"
Relena smiled ruefully. "Duo breath this is the third time that you've told me this. I promise you if it wasn't for welcoming the Representatives of the Mars colony we would be at home stuffing ourselves on pizza."
Duo sighed blowing his bangs upward. "I know, I know."
She frowned moving closer she smoothed his bangs capturing his face. "What is it? Tell me."
"I just.."
The door opened and Zechs stuck his head in. " Relena their ready for you."
She held Duo's gaze. "Alright just a moment."
"Relena please.."
Relena rolled her eyes and smiled; standing on her tiptoes she kissed his cheek. "Come on lets feed you. You'll feel loads better then." She took his arm and moved to the door Zechs stepped back to let her pass but she paused admiring him as she brushed his hair back into place. "Nice, very nice." She kissed his cheek. "Don't look so grim you should enjoy this as well while they're here you've worked closely with these people they speak quite highly of you."
His frowned smoothed and a smiled softened his face. "Just don't forget as soon as dinner.."
She laughed as she moved down the hall. "I'm so proud of you that was a whole five minutes before you started lecturing me on security. Your getting better big brother I know the drill I'm welcomed blahh blahh. I smooze. I eat. Then we leave."
Zechs grabbed Duo's arm as he went to pass and murmured softly. "Don't let her out of your sight I don't like the fact bodies keep popping up everywhere she goes."
Duo growled, "I can't say it's thrilling me any either."
She gently cleared her throat. "Gentlemen I can't go out there without you."
Zechs dropped his hand and gestured mockingly. "After you."
Grumbling Duo caught up with Relena as she giggled. A smile lingered on Zechs face until they turned the corner then it slowly disappeared. The hardest thing in the world was not letting his guilt color his relationship with Relena god knows she really didn't blame him. Well so she said, until he starts with the cotton wrapping. She just couldn't understand how hard it was to cut that part of himself away to stay alive all those years and he hoped to god she never would. That he felt secure enough to let her in and others truly was a testimony on how far he had come since Mariemeia giving her room to breath sometimes was allot easier said than done. There was a lot going on he didn't understand even Lu was quieter these last few weeks it worried him but since they both respected each other's personal space all he could do was he bid his time until she told him what was wrong. Zechs face tightened eyes glittered ruthlessly his thoughts turning darker as he slowly followed behind he liked his life now and nothing or no one was going to take it away.
Heero moved along the outer edges of the reception blending into the background his eyes restlessly moving. Pausing in an alcove, one side of his mouth turned up in a wry half smile as Relena was announced and entered the reception with a sulky Duo. Zechs stood slightly behind looking grimmer than usual apparently they had already been at it this evening and Zechs had won the opening volley. He studied Relena objectively there was color in her face and a sparkle in her eye that had been missing the last few weeks. Whatever Zechs had done it was well worth it to see her looking herself once again and whatever he had to do later to coax Duo out of his sulk well he smirked truth be told he looked forward to it. Something moved out of the corner of his eye glancing up he eyed the upper lever piercingly he wished Chang was here his Katana swinging paranoia would be most welcome right about now. But Noin had vetoed both of them for field work. He shrugged it must have been important for Wufei to let her without an argument. Taping his earcom he continued to search the shadows above.
"Beechome report."
"Nothing on this end sir." As he listened to the rest of the upper level security reporting in he should have been satisfied but he wasn't. He was still uneasy something was up.
"Heero?
"I'll check it out Noin and let you know."
"Where?"
"Upper level right quad."
"Negative I'll go."
"I..."
Lucrezia cut him off abruptly there was an intensity in her tone that had him suddenly speculative. "No Heero, I want you close in case we miss something I'll go and report in five."
"Affirmative. Five if I don't hear from you by then I'll come in myself."
"Acknowledged."
Lucrezia moved through the upper level pausing she glanced below where Heero was stationed as if he felt her look he inclined his head before he was once again swallowed up by crowd. Stepping back into the shadows she headed toward what she suspected.. hoped was in reality Relena's phantom. It was funny really she wasn't sure she wanted to look to closely at her reasons for wanting to meet him so badly. She could do what the journal asked without drawing undue attention to herself. A whisper of sound made her pause nothing specific but just the slightest whisper carried to where she froze Lucrezia lifted her skirt and pulled her gun eyeing the door wryly before she pushed it open.
Entering warily through the outer lounge she gently nudged open the door to the men's facilities cautiously taking in the stalls and urinals she moved slowly toward the body on the floor. Standing over the body she stopped all her senses straining outward eyes sweeping the interior before she finally knelt and felt for a pulse. Dead. Rolling him over she looked for the cause. He was a big man; strong looking but someone snapped his neck like kindling.
Lucrezia stood and moved back through the bathroom her heels clicking loudly on the tiles glancing back over her shoulder she swept the room once more before slipping through the opening. Moving into the lounge she opened the door and let it swing closed shaking her head at such subterfuge before moving silently back into the lounge. She took a seat in the chair facing the door. Checking her watch she shifted getting comfortable crossing her legs she laid the gun across it the picture of patience and waited even though her mind screamed a countdown. They were running out of time and the last thing she wanted was Heero up here. Don't disappoint me Gabriel.
That's how Gabriel found her when he finally called her bluff sitting as if she had all the time in the world. Still she couldn't quite stop that tell tale sigh of relief.
Gabriel pushed the door open with his foot and exited his hands out at his sides. They stood there in silence studying each other. Lucrezia stood slowly moving closer she stopped the moment she saw his eyes and gasped. My god no wonder Relena trusted him. Her eyes moved on over his features taking in the long loose hair her lips tilted slightly. At least he didn't have a braid that would be tantamount to a neon sign proclaiming his parentage for all it's worth. She smiled at the color at least he got something from her those blue-black tints could have came from anyone but she took an odd comfort from the fact that they were the exact shade of her own. His eyes narrowed.
"You know who I am, I find that very intriguing."
She shrugged silently. "Why are you here?"
His face reserved became even more so with the question as his eyes grew shuttered. "O I was in the neighborhood heard they were having some killer eats turns out you just had some killers. There's still one more you know. I don't suppose you would let me finish what I started?"
Lucrezia shook her head amazed. "If Heero doesn't shoot you, Duo will there is to much unexplained happening around Relena lately everyone is jumpy. Stay away and let us do it. He's already seen you once tonight." He stared impassively she couldn't tell if what she said reached him or not. "Where is the suspect?"
Gabriel expression softened, "you know I like you this way there's still a hope in your eyes that hasn't been stamped out yet.
Lucrezia faltered, "wha?"
But he was already closing back up his face tightened taking on a forbidding stamp. "It wasn't me he saw." He raked his hands through his hair impatiently. "I can't. I won't take the chance."
She frowned. "Why?" Her watch beeped startled she looked down and swore she was out of time. "Quiet," she hissed. "Heero."
"Go ahead."
"I got a body male, very dead. I'm going to call for a clean up team. Then proceed with the rest of the sweep." Her eyes lifted and held Gabriel's. "Heero we may have at least one more. Repeat. One other hostile."
"Acknowledged. The Mars delegation arrived, she's making her rounds we can start moving her out. I'll send back up."
"Negative. I'll finish my sweep," she murmured.
"Roger that."
"You didn't tell him."
She shook her head. "Go." She gestured with her gun.
He dropped his hands and strode across the room pulling the door open he stopped. He glanced back at her watching him. "Thanks I won't.."
"Go."
He grinned, "I'm gone." He turned back opening the door he looked both ways..
"Gabriel," she called impulsively.
He glanced over his shoulder enigmatically. "Don't worry I don't plan on dying just yet."
"If anyone suspects you're here." She trailed off.
His eyebrow quirked, "I know they're very protective of her."
She shook her head. "I was thinking about Zechs. Stay away from Zechs, Gabriel." He nodded his head then slipped away before she could say more. "Be careful." She whispered into the silence of the room.
Duo tapped his earcom in acknowledgement. Moving up behind her he cupped her elbow. Relena turned and smiled, "Duo I want you to meet Kevan Swayne he ."
Duo nodded abruptly. "Charmed." He leaned in close to her ear and whispered. "Come on angel past time you booked."
Relena looked startled for a moment then he watched comprehension dawn. Turning back she offered a practiced smile. "I'm sorry Kevan. Duo has just reminded me about an appointment I can't break. I am sorry about cutting our reunion short it was nice to see you again."
She went to move off when he clasped her arm detaining her. He smiled smoothly, " I can't let you leave me now."
Duo muttered just loud enough for Relena to hear. "Let me help you then."
Relena gently squeezed Duo's hand against her side but her eyes sparkled with suppressed mirth.
Maybe we can do this again sometime?" He pleaded charmingly
"Relena." Zechs moved forward frowning "We really need to go."
Kevan chuckled shifting again slightly, "of course she does but surely she can take a moment to reminisce with an old friend."
"Perhaps another time Kevan my time just isn't my own anymore." Relena smiled apologetically.
"But I understood you were pulling back delegating more so you could have more free time."
"Well I."
"Relena."
She glanced up at her brother's grim face and nodded. Turning back she smiled. "Call me we'll work something out." With that she turned back letting Zechs take her arm
"Relena just a moment you didn't.." Kevan reached for her arm pulling her off balance. That's when she felt it fire blazed a trail across her side before it went numb. She jerked back against Zechs in reflex. Relena felt him flinch, as everything seemed to happen at once. The chandelier above their heads exploded sending sparks and glass showering the guest and marbled floors as Relena was shoved forward into Zechs carrying them several feet. They all hit the ground hard. The force on top of her rolled them under the edge of the massive buffet as screams and shattering crystal filled the room.
Trying to push herself up Duo grunted pushing her head back down. "Damn it! Lena stay down until it's clear." Tilting her head up she looked up from Zechs chest trying to see his face clearly to make sure he was all right. He seemed fine but she watched in dismay as he transformed back into the man he was during the war. Or had it ever left him she thought sadly.
Shifting he glanced down he must of felt her stare because he tried to force a reassuring smile. Sliding out from under her he cupped her cheek. "You ok?" Wide eyed she leaned up painfully onto her side biting her lip she nodded. Relena watched him tap his earcom. "I'm on my way." He met Duo's gaze over her head. "Stay with her wait for my signal and then get her out of here."
He went to roll away. "Wait." She grabbed his arm wincing slightly as she did. "Where are you going?"
"They got two of them but there's still shooting."
"And you say I'm nuts.. Your not bullet proof you could get hurt they have us pinned." Duo amused snorted.
Zechs mouth twisted into a half smile. "Not if I get him first." Rolling out from underneath the table he lay there bullets seemed to fire in a continuous wave about the room. He waited to see some semblance of a pattern in it when he thought he found it he went. Moving from cover to cover he finally made his way to the second floor his back against the wall he paused and tapped his com.
"Yuy what's the hold up on the shooter?" He slid along the wall warily pushing doors open checking rooms as he came to them.
"No shooter it's programmed and bolted in," Heero came back flatly.
Zechs stopped, "say again?"
"The gun is on a program I'm hacking it now."
"Where?"
"Third level some sort of greenhouse."
The hair stood on the back of his neck. In one quick movement he spun crouched and shot. "Zechs?" He froze there still crouched his eyes probing the darkness. Nothing moved, nothing breathed yet he would have bet his life his instincts had been dead on.
"It's nothing I'm on my way."
Halfway there blessed silence reigned he sighed in relief until he saw the body with a hole in the center of it's head. He frowned Yuy. Crouching he turned the man's face toward the light no one he recognized standing he continued on. Coming into the solarium he loosened the top two buttons on his collar and scanned the room by rote. He caught himself searching Lucrezia thoroughly to make sure she was ok.
She nodded. "I'm all right. There's one on the second floor clean up had just arrived when the shooting started. O Zechs I'm so sorry."
He moved closer drawing her against his chest. "It's not your fault Lu," he murmured. Turning toward Heero his eyebrow lifted quizzically. " I thought I heard you say it was programmed."
He nodded. "It was. I found one hostile down the hall he was trying to lead me away when the shooting started."
Zechs frowned disapprovingly, "he's dead. Did we get anything useful?"
"I questioned him an unknown element has invited himself into their game and is systematically eliminating their people. They know he's not one of ours so they're getting
edgy. The guy Noin found was contracted out apparently they are running short on people willing to go against him."
His mouth quirked at the corner, "he was positively chatty with you. Tell me something we don't know Heero."
Heero smirked, "they call him the Demon."
Zechs turned, "aren't we all when provoked? Alright lets start getting people out and get some medical attention here for those that need it."
"I already made the call," Lucrezia murmured.
Zechs tapped his com. "Duo it's clear get her out. What? Shit.. We're on our way."
"Relena?"
Frustrated he glared over his shoulder at Lucrezia." She won't leave until she knows we're all right.
Heero shrugged, "so tell her."
"He tried that."
Heero tapped his com. "Duo pick her up and carry her out of here."
Zechs smiled, "I'm going to enjoy her tearing into you for a change."
Heero let go of the com and looked grim. "Lets go. Heero glared at the two Preventors. "Clean up and be careful when you unbolt it we need to study it more later."
Zechs frowned uneasily. " What?"
"He tried to pick her up."
Lucrezia frowned moving after him. "I don't understand.." They trailed after him as he went down the hall by the time he hit the stairs he was running. They looked at each other as comprehension dawned and started after him.