***Notes:
Oi! ^_^ Since I have
limited internet time and so much to say *cough* I want to thank those who are
giving me the nice reviews. I'm also finding out that it's much easier for me
to write humor than the more serious fic like this. @_@
This also might be the last chapter I can get up for the rest of the
weekend, I'll try though, to get maybe another up tomorrow as I will be making
a lovely trip south for a family thing for 3-4 days. Maybe I'll be able to use
my Aunt's laptop while I'm down there.
***I'd also like to say that this
story seems to not even to be halfway done. *quirks* So I'll have to see how
many of you guys I lose along the way. ^^;;;
I may have to seriously reconsider the next time I decide to do another
"serious" ficcie. Oh wait, I have one in planning…. *sweatdrops majorly* Anyhoo
I'm done…
Chapter
6
The
rats.
Dekim
jerked upright on his cot. "No."
No rats.
Only a nightmare. He was sweating, shuddering. The odor of garbage and decay
filled his senses.
Why
wouldn't the rats go away?
He stood up
and moved to the washstand and splashed water on his face. The rats had not
come to plague him in a long time. There must be a reason.
The
Maxwell boy. The nightmares had first come after the night he had escaped with
Heero. When he found and killed Duo Maxwell, the rats would flee back into
their holes.
He moved
to the tent entrance and stared out into the darkness. Duo Maxwell was out
there somewhere. Close. His instincts seldom failed him when he was this near a
prey.
To hell
with the darkness, he couldn't wait for morning.
"Wake up,
Mueller!" he shouted. "Rouse the men. We leave in ten minutes."
***************
"We can
stop here and rest for a few minutes." Heero shrugged off his backpack. "You'd
better change the baby and give her some water."
"Of course
I'll do that," I said bristling. "You don't have to tell me. We managed QUITE
well without you."
"Gomen. I'm used to running things."
"You
don't have to tell me that either." In the last eight hours he had demonstrated
that characteristic time and time again. The decision had all been his, and he
had made them easily and surely, pushing and prodding me every step of the way.
"You're
annoyed with me." His brows lifted. "I'm surprised you didn't let me know
earlier."
"I don't
like being left out of decisions." I finished diapering Iris and held my hand
out for the canteen. "But this is your area of expertise. It was clear you knew
what you were doing. I would have been stupid to argue with you."
Heero's
gazed focused on Iris. "She's a very good baby."
"Hai, she is." I said softening. I fed Iris a little more water and wiped her
forehead and neck and then did the same for myself. Though the poor kid was hot
and sweaty, and a heat rash was starting on her neck, she had let out only a
few whimpers during the journey. Iris was a true miracle.
I
tenderly brushed the baby's dark wispy hair away from her face. Iris smiled up
at me and I couldn't resist giving her a quick hug. Heero stood up. "Are you
rested enough to go on?"
"What
would you do if I said I wasn't?"
"Tell you
we have to keep pushing anyway."
"I
thought as much." I said dryly as I put Iris into the sling. "I'm ready." My
gaze went to the hills behind us. "Do you suppose they're close?"
"Closer
than I'd like. I caught sight of them two hours after we started."
"Why
didn't you tell me?" I asked, startled.
"Why
worry you? It was still dark and they were having trouble tracking. I did some
weaving and lost them again." He frowned "But I didn't expect them to start
before dawn. Dekim is pushing them hard." He started down the trail. "He wants
you."
My lips
tightened grimly. "Well he won't get me. How much longer do we have to go?"
"Another
few hours before we're clear to radio for the helicopter. After that, maybe two
hours to the rendezvous point."
Relief
rushed through me. Not much longer. "Thank God."
"Oh yes,
and me, of course."
Good
heavens, Heero was actually smiling at me.
I smiled
back. "Of course."
***************
Dekim
looked down at the tracks. "Two of them?"
Mueller
nodded. "Joaquin says a man is with him. He must have joined him last night. It
was only a single set of tracks before." He looked over his shoulder. "I'm
being motioned. Do I have your permission to-"
"Go."
He had
help. The Maxwell boy had help.
Heero?
Yes, probably Heero; he had already demonstrated his skill in making his way
through these hills. Now he was with the boy and if he was CIA, might be able
to pull in more help.
If Dekim
didn't reach them before they got out of the hills.
Mueller
was back. "We've intercepted a radio signal."
"Where?"
Dekim asked.
"Southwest.
Six miles."
They had
cleared the hills and were radioing for assistance, probably a helicopter.
Goddammit.
"Get
them."
***************
I
staggered then caught myself before I could fall.
"Daijoubu?"
Heero asked, not looking back.
No, it
wasn't all right. Heero had increased the pace in the last hour and I was bone
weary, hot, and I had a stitch in my side. "Can we go a little slower?"
"Iie."
"Why not?
We're close, aren't we?"
"Close
isn't home."
"Iris
needs changing."
"She'll
have to wait. Hurry."
The last
word was so filled with tension my stride immediately accelerated. I glanced
back over my shoulder. "What's wrong are they close?"
"They've
always been close and they're bound to have picked up the signal."
Iris
whimpered.
Poor kid.
"How far do we have to go?"
"Another
hour. And Dekim is probably no more than twenty minutes behind us."
"What if
the helicopter isn't there?"
Heero
didn't answer.
He didn't
have to answer.
***************
In the valley
below, the army-green helicopter shimmered in the twilight. It was a sight for
my sore eyes.
My pace
quickened in response to the hope leaping through me. "It's there. We're
going-"
A bullet
whistled past my ear.
"Shit."
Heero grabbed my arm and pulled me down. I stumbled on a tuft of grass, caught
off balance. A second shot. Kicking up dirt ahead of me.
I glanced
over my shoulder.
Soldiers.
Streaming over the hill.
Another
shot.
I jerked
as pain streaked along my side.
We
reached the helicopter. Heero tossed me onto the floor and followed me.
"Up,
Hilde." He shouted.
The door
was still open as the helicopter rose jerkily. One of the soldiers leaped
upward and caught hold. Heero ground his heel on the man's hand and he fell
back to the ground.
Bullets
sprayed the helicopter.
What if
they hit the fuel tank?
Clear. We
were high above the ground. Surely out of range. I looked at Heero. He nodded
and I went limp with relief.
"You're
bleeding." He was looking at my shirt. "You were hit?"
"My side.
It's all right. Just a graze I think. I'll tend to- Oh my God."
Iris was
too still.
I
frantically shrugged off the sling. The blanket was stained with blood.
Iris.
"Son of a
bitch. They shot her. They shot Iris." The bullet that had grazed my side must
have gone though the baby. "Goddamn baby killers."
"Is she
dead.?"
"I'm
trying to find out." Hip wound. Blood. Too much blood. "She's alive. Barely."
"Can we
save her?"
"I don't
know. I know first aid, but I'm not a doctor. Maybe. If I can stop the
bleeding." I was working quickly. "You get her to a hospital."
"I can't
risk you. We can't land until-"
"Don't
tell me that. I don't care where you take us." I shot him a fierce glance. "You
get me to a medical facility where I can get help for her."
Heero
nodded. "I'll find a place."
"Son of a
bitch." I had sworn to never open up to this kind of agony again. Yet here it
was deeper than ever before. "We've gone through too much together. Don't leave
me now, kid."
***************
"We're going
to set down." Heero was back. "How is she?"
"Unconscious.
I've managed to stop the bleeding, unless there's internal bleeding. Where are
we?"
"Gulf of
Mexico. I've located an aircraft carrier, the USS Montana. They'll have
a doctor and full medical care. We should be down in ten minute." He headed
back to the cockpit. "One way or another."
"What do
you mean?"
"Aircraft
carriers don't like uninvited guest. They're proving a little difficult and
threatening to shoot us down." He glanced back over his shoulder. "Don't worry,
I'll take care of it."
I cuddled
Iris closer. I couldn't worry about anything but the baby. Let Heero take care
of everything else.
***************
Dekim's
fists clenched as he watched the lights of the helicopter fade in the distance.
He was
gone. He had escaped him.
No.
He drew a
deep, ragged breath.
Heero had
taken him away. He was probably already thinking that he was out of Dekim's
reach.
He was
wrong. There was always a way to bring down any prey. He would find him.
"Tell the
radioman to get here, Mueller."
The boy
had to die. And no one was ever out of reach.
***************
I leaned
my head on my hands. I felt utterly helpless.
"The
kid?"
I looked
up to see Heero standing beside me by Iris's bed. Dr. Anand did what he could."
I said wearily. "He thinks there's a severed vertebra but he's not a
specialist."
"Do you
want me to get one for you?"
I smiled
crookedly. "Are you going to kidnap a specialist and fly him to the aircraft
carrier? Not a good idea. Captain Omni wasn't at all pleased to have us land
here. You're right, we were lucky we weren't shot down on the approach."
"For all
they knew, the helicopter could have been loaded with dynamite." He shrugged
"It was the best I could do."
"It was
the very best. Arigatou."
"You order.
I obey." He squatted down before my chair. "You didn't answer me. Do you want
me to go for a specialist?"
I shook
my head. "That can wait. He wouldn't operate anyway until she's in better
shape. She may not make it Heero."
"When
will you know?"
"An hour,
two. If she stabilizes…"
He looked
at the baby in the makeshift crib they'd fashioned out of a hospital bed. "Did
she wake up?"
"Iie." I
tried to steady my voice. "She may never wake up again."
"I've got
a hunch she will. She came this far. She survived Tenajo. I don't think she's
meant to die."
"And she
was meant to be shot?" I asked fiercely. "She's just a baby. God shouldn't let
things like this-"
"Shh."
His hand closed over mine. "Don't blame God. Blame Dekim."
"I do
blame Dekim. I want to burn him at the stake."
"Entirely
understandable." He released my hand, stood up, and headed for the door. "I'll
be back in a minute. You need food, but I know I can't get you to eat. I'll
bring coffee instead. It may be a long wait for us."
"You
don't have to wait with me. There's nothing you can do."
He paused
at the door. "I'm not doing it for you. I think Iris will know I'm here. I'll
be right back."
***************
It was
four hours later that Iris's vital signs stabilized. An hour later she opened
her eyes.
"She's
smiling." I whispered in wonder.
"I told
you she wanted to live." Heero gently touched the baby's cheek. "Some things
are meant to be."
"I'm in
no mood for philosophy. I still don't know if she's ever going to be able to
take her first step." But relief and joy were soaring within me. At least she
was going to live.
"Dr.
Anand said the best for spinal injuries is Dr. Sally Po at John Hopkins," Heero
said. "I've arranged an air ambulance to take us there early tomorrow morning."
"You
have?"
"And now,
I believe it's time for you to eat." He wrinkled his nose. "And shower. Iris
may have a relapse when she rouses enough to get a whiff of you."
"I'm
surprised you bore with me all these hours." I said sarcastically.
"I
consider it an exercise in discipline." He turned away from me. "Go shower.
I'll send in the nurse to watch Iris and get you some food and fresh clothes."
"Matte."
He looked
back at me.
"Quatre."
He shook
his head. "I contacted our people in Mexico City. No word. But, if he's on
foot, it's possible he hasn't reached the coast yet."
"Then I
have to go back for him."
"Iie."
The swift, harsh negative startled me. He hadn't used that tone with me since
Tenajo.
"I won't
abandon him."
"No one
is suggesting you abandon him." He glanced at the baby. "Do you want to leave
Iris before you know her condition?"
My gaze
followed his to Iris. I was as torn as Heero had known I would be. "You know I
don't. But I have to go. You can take Iris to-"
"You're
handing her over to me? You scarcely let me touch her all the way here."
"I can't
leave Quatre there."
"Dekim
will get you as soon as you set foot back in Mexico."
"I'll go
to the embassy and-"
"No, we'll
talk about it later. Let me think about it. I may have a solution."
I watched
him walk away. If he had a solution for this, he'd rival Solomon, I thought
wearily. Then again he managed to get me out of Mexico and saved Iris by
finding a medical facility. Maybe he could work this miracle too.
***************
Two hours
later he knocked on the door of the tiny cabin I been chosen. "Come on. We're
gong to the radio room. I've arranged to radio someone."
Frowning,
I fell into step with him. "Who?"
"Chang Wufei.
He's one of my contacts in Mexico City."
"CIA?"
"No,
Chinese intelligence. They work with us on certain agendas."
"This
agenda?"
"Most
particularly this agenda." He glanced at me. "I can't let you go back, Duo.
You'd make too many ripples."
"Good. What's
wrong with telling the Mexican government they've been had?"
"No one
can know about Tenajo yet. It might trigger a nasty backlash from Dekim."
"Not if
the police catch him first."
"Not
likely. He has informants in every phase of government. Besides, he's not
alone. We can't be sure they won't act as soon as Dekim is brought down."
"Who
would act?"
"Trieze
Kushrenada., a terrorist located in Libya. And chances are you'd never reach
the police. You'll be on Dekim's contract list. There's a lot of slime who want
to curry favor with the good colonel."
"All the
more reason why I should get Quatre out of there."
He looked
away from me. "He may be able to get himself out. Did you ever think of that?
If he's managed to get away from Dekim, he's done pretty well as far."
"He
doesn't know about Dekim."
"Is he
smart?"
"Of
course he's smart. Very smart. What does that have to do with anything?"
"After
Tenajo, do you think that he'd trust anyone? You didn't. You woke up in that
hospital bristling and ready to take on everyone in sight."
"He might
go to the police and you said that was almost a death sentence."
"But
first he has to get through the hills."
"Then I
should go and help him. I've been through them. I know them now."
"But it
would be a risk."
"I don't
have any choice."
"Yes, you
do." He paused. "You could let Wufei find him. I could have him do a discreet
search and, when he finds him, smuggle him out of the country."
He had
said when, not if, and the distinction gave me the first hope I'd had since Dekim
had told me Quatre was dead. "Could he do that? Could he find him?"
"I'll
radio him to start the search now. In a few days he could be across the
border."
It seemed
too good to be true, so it probably was.
"How do
you know that he'll find him?"
"I don't
but if he's alive, we stand an 80% chance. I've seen Wufei work. He can't find
a needle in a hay stack but he comes close."
Eighty
percent. I wanted it to be a hundred percent. "That's not good enough."
"That's
seventy five percent chance better than your chances alone." He added bluntly.
"Don't be a baka. If you go back, you'll get him killed. Wufei will get him
out."
I stared
at him in helpless frustration. What he said made sense but I didn't want to
believe it. I didn't want to be hundreds of miles away from Quatre with my
hands tied. "You could call this Wufei and I could meet him, help him to-"
Heero was
shaking his head.
"Why
not?!"
"Because
if you go back, I won't tell Wufei to help you. You'll be on your own." He
paused. "And your friend will be dead."
I stared
at him in disbelief. "You're bluffing."
He
grimaced. "You're right. I couldn't let you go off alone. But I'm telling the
truth about your friend's chances. The sooner I get Wufei on it, the sooner
you'll see your friend again. Think about it."
What he
suggested went against every instinct. Quatre had always been there for me like
a brother. I had to go to him.
And if I
did, I might cause his death.
"I'll
give him a few days," I said finally. "If he hasn't located him by that time,
I'm going down there myself."
"It might
take longer than that… if he's alive."
"Stop saying
that. He is alive. Quatre is one of the strongest guys I know. He's not dead, I
tell you."
"Easy."
I drew a
deep breath. "Call him right away."
A few
minutes later he was sitting at the radio, putting on the headphones. After a
short wait a slightly deep voice with the faintest hint of an accent crackled
over the line. "It's about time. I've been waiting for you to call, you ugly
son of a bitch. Are you ready for a pickup?" Wufei said amusedly.
I felt a
little ripple of surprise. The cheerful voice was completely free of fear I had
sensed in everyone else who had encountered Heero, and the words were certainly
irreverent.
"Iie, I
radioed Hilde." Heero said. "We're on our way out now."
"How did
Tenajo go?"
"Not what
we expected. Bad."
"You're
not going to tell me more?"
"Not
now."
"Don't
close me out. I want them as much as you do."
"I can't
talk now."
"You blew
your cover with Dekim?"
Heero glanced
at me. "In a manner of speaking."
"Then why
didn't you call me?"
"I have
another job for you. We think there's a man in the hills near Tenajo. Dekim is
probably looking for him. You have to find him first."
There was
a silence. "Just as long as it isn't a woman. I don't like killing women
Heero."
"No
problem. Just find him and get him safely out of the country."
Wufei
sighed. "Nasty job. It would be easier to kill him. How quick?"
"Very.
Dekim has been delayed, but my disappearance may push him to more."
"And the
man is important?"
"Get him
out Wu."
"It will
be done, your royal gargoyleship. Where do you want him delivered?"
"I'll be in touch. He's Quatre Raberba Winner. About five foot one, nineteen,
blonde hair and sea green eyes."
"Great.
Do you know how likely it is I'll find anyone like that here? Now, if he had a
face like yours he might have a chance."
"But if
he did have a face like mine, he wouldn't have a chance. Give the guy a break."
A slight
smile was curving his lips, and that's when I realized he was joking. The idea
of humor connected with that face and intimidating demeanor was totally out of
place. But I had found on the journey that many things about Heero were not as
they seemed. And what was so horrible about his face anyway? Heero was actually
very beautiful when he wasn't glaring you down. I tried to hide my blush. I
didn't just think that, did I?
"He may
not be willing to cooperate. He'd be a baka to trust me if he's on the run. Can
you give me anything to reassure him?" I could hear Wufei say.
"I'll
ask." Heero looked at me.
I thought
for a moment. I smirked, "Tell him to tell Quatre: Shinigami ga jigoku kara
mai modotte kita ze!"
Heero
raised a brow at me.
"Nani?" I
tried to look innocent. "It's an old inside joke. He'll understand."
Heero
repeated the line.
"Ye~ah…
then I'll be on my way." Wufei said.
Heero
turned to me. "Satisfied?"
I wasn't
satisfied, but Wufei seemed confident if bizarre. "I'll give Wu-man a few
days."
"Arigatou."
Heero said to the radio operator as he removed the headphones. He took my arm
and urged me toward the door. "Those few days will at least allow you to get
the baby up to John Hopkins and into Sally Po's hands. You'd better check on
Iris and then get to bed. The air ambulance will be here pretty early."
I nodded
wearily. "I was going to do that anyway. Would you stop giving me orders
already? Geez."
"I said I
would take care of you." He said quietly. "I meant it."
I went
ahead of him down the narrow corridor. "Just take care of Quatre. G'nite
Heero."
"Oyasumi."
***************
Heero
watched Duo disappear around the corner. He had avoided the confrontation but
only temporarily. He wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating Duo. Right
now, he was absorbed with worry about the baby and Quatre, but Heero would have
to walk very carefully.
Take
care of Quatre.
He wished
he could promise him that.
Lies and
deceit and manipulation, press the right button, shade the truth, and twist
reality. God I was tired of it all.
But it
was the coin he dealt in and he would spend it whenever necessary.
He went
back to the radio room to call Wufei again.
***************
"She
looks like she did in that room in San Andreas," I whispered as I looked down
at Iris. "All those tubes…"
"Sally
says they're necessary. She needs nutrients. She lost a lot of blood," Heero
said. "And you said you liked and trusted her."
I nodded.
"But I wanted her to operate right away. I want to know she's going to be all
right."
"She said
she's got a good chance."
"I want
to know. I don't want to wait another week." I bent down and brushed my
lips across her forehead. "She's going to fix you up, kid. Just be patient."
"She's
sedated and out of it. You're the one who's impatient." Heero gently guided me
from the room. "Let's go to the waiting room. We have to talk."
My gaze
flew to his face. "Did Sally tell you something she didn't tell me?"
"Iie." He
pushed me into a chair. "She's a smart woman. She wouldn't have dared."
I
relaxed. "You scared me."
"This
situation scares me." He sat down beside me. "I know you asked Sally to find
you a bed here." he paused. "You can't stay Duo."
I
stiffened. "The hell I can't."
He shook
his head. "It's too dangerous."
"No one
knows I'm here."
"They
probably will soon. It's just a matter of time. Dekim has established network
here. You'll have to go underground. I'm going to take you to a safe house."
"I won't
leave Iris."
"Would
you rather see her dead?" he asked bluntly. "That's what will happen. You're a
witness. Dekim wants your head. As long as you're close-by, Iris is in danger.
Is that what you want?"
"You know
that's not what I want."
"I've
called headquarters and arranged a guard for Iris at the hospital just in case
Dekim tries to use her to get to you. But you're the one he wants. If he
doesn't hear you hovering over her, he may think that she's not important to
you. Without you, Iris is much more safe." He added softly. "Give her a chance
Duo. She's got a long way to go."
I could
feel tears sting my eyes. "He might not find her."
"Do you
want to take that chance?"
"She'll
be all alone."
"She'll
be well guarded and besides, Iris is a heartbreaker. The nurses will be
hovering over her every second of the day."
"But I want
to-" But I couldn't do what I wanted, not if I wanted Iris to be safe. I hadn't
wanted Heero to be right dammit. "I want reports everyday. Do you hear me? And
I want to talk to Sally every other day. And she better be safe or I'll cut
your throat Heero."
"She'll
be safe. I give you my word. Trust me."
I did
trust him, I realized. Where had it come from? The trek in the hills, the night
he had stayed with Iris after the operation? However it had happened, the trust
was there. I stood up. "I want to say good-bye to her."
He
nodded. "Ten minutes? I have to make a few arrangements."
It was
stupid to say good-bye, I thought as I looked down at Iris. The kid didn't even
know I was there. "I'll be back." I whispered. "They're going to take good care
of you but I have to leave for a little while. I'll be thinking of you." I
blinked hard to keep back the tears. "You think about me too. I know you'll be
pretty occupied with all these doctors and nurses, but remember I'm the one you
came with."
I
couldn't take anymore. I strode blindly out the door and into Heero.
He handed
me a handkerchief. "Daijoubu?"
"No." I
wiped my eyes. " Get me the hell outta here. Where are we going?
"To the
airport. I have a helicopter waiting."
"And
then?"
"Atlanta.
"To your
blasted safe house?"
He shook
his head. "We're in transition. I need to see a friend who may help us. And the
safe house isn't set-up yet."
Transition.
My life seemed to be nothing else since the day I arrived in Tenajo. "I'm not
going to stay in any safe house unless you bring Quatre there."
"Okay I
promise." Heero opened the door for me. "The minute we find him."