Chapter 3:One more, one less
They were both seated in Quatre's personal shuttle on their way back to Earth.
Trowa was facing Quatre. The blond pilot hadn't been spoken since the moment they launched. He looked lost his thoughts his thought and Trowa didn't know whether or not to disturb he should or shouldn't disturb his friend. They had launched more than an hour ago and Quatre was still looking at the stars.
Quatre had asked Trowa to come help them with the current problem on Earth and Trowa had accepted right away. This is going to be a chance to find out why she's here. But he knew that the problems Relena was facing were surely greater than the one his sister's. Still, she was his sister and he really cared for her. He had to look after her; it was his way to repay her for all she had done for him during the last war. Maybe the two things are connected? Yes, they could be. He didn't know for sure but he would find out. He hadn't seen her before he left and it was as if he was sad about it. Why should I be? She's just more trouble in my life.
Catherine hadn't really been happy to see her brother leave for more danger, but what could she do? Besides, somebody had to take care of peace and Trowa was one of the people chosen. She didn't know the reasoning behind his sudden departure, but thought that it must be really important to cut into Trowa's vacation like it had.
Another hour passed and Quatre hadn't still said anything. Trowa wasn't the talkative type and he usually enjoyed the silence but this was too much, especially from Quatre. Something was bothering his friend, he could tell and had a pretty good idea of what it was.
"Hey Quatre, you're really quiet."
Quatre smiled gently at his friend.
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. It's just… I have a lot on my mind right now." He turned back his head to look at the empty space.
"You're thinking about her aren't you?"
Quatre dropped his head in some kind of defeat.
"Yeah. I'm worried about her. She's in serious danger you know."
"You really like her don't you?"
Quatre nodded. "I do, she's a dear friend"
"Maybe more…?"
Quatre turned to face his friend. How come he always knows how I feel or whom I like?
"You love her, don't you?" Trowa was now the one that turned his head. He didn't want to face his friend with what he was going to have to say. "And you left Catherine for her."
Quatre received a knife directly through his heart. Yes, it was true. He and Catherine had been lovers, but that was before he'd come to know Relena more, before he fell in love with her. Catherine was still hurt, he knew. He wasn't happy either. Relena wasn't with him. She loves me like a friend. He felt so bad for what he had done to Catherine. He did love her, very much. But now it was different, there was Relena…
"Why don't you tell her how you feel?"
Quatre nodded.
"She doesn't love me, she loves him."
"But he's not here!"
Quatre raised his head to face his friend eyes. What he was going to say was the truth, the painful truth he had to live with.
"Each time I hold her in my arms, it's as if it's him holding her. Each time I tell her everything is going to be ok, that I will protect her, it's him who's telling her. She loves him. I know that and… it hurts. I can't fight with that."
I can't fight with Heero Yuy.
******************************************************************************
Three weeks had passed. Duo had been looking for Heero Yuy but hadn't found anything. He had looked everywhere he could imagine Heero could be. Man! I can't catch a ghost. I'm not super human after all. Duo had been walking in that shopping center hopping he would find anything useful. What am I thinking? Heero is not the shopping type! He had asked all his contacts, all his friends for some information. He had made major searches on the computer. Nothing. He had found nothing that could tell him were the perfect soldier was hiding himself.
Duo thought that is was enough research for one day and that he needed a break. He looked at the coffee shop near him. The cake in the glass caught his attention. As if it was calling him, Duo went directly to the shop and ordered a big piece of that cake and a large coffee. Eating is the biggest pleasure of life! That was his motto device.
Taking his tray carefully, he turned and spotted an empty table. He headed for it.
Walking slowly, making sure he didn't spill any coffee, he kept his eyes on that table, hoping it would still be empty once he reached it.
He was about to achieve his goal when a man, coming out of nowhere hit him, causing the coffee to spill on his new shirt and causing the piece of cake to fly in the air before landing on the ground with a big splash.
Trying to get the coffee off his shirt, he addressed the man.
"Hey man! Can't you watch where you're going?! You've ruined my lunch."
"I'm sorry."
Duo stopped looking at his shirt and turned his head around to face the man. He knew that voice, it was the voice of "Heero Yuy!"
"Duo Maxwell." Heero said the name in that emotionless voice of his.
Forgetting his dirty shirt, Duo jumped into Heero arms.
"Hey buddy!! Man, I've been looking all over for you! It's good to see you."
"Duo. Would you mind? You're covered with coffee."
Backing up, Duo started to laugh aloud. "Oops, sorry man." Grabbing Heero's arm, he forced him to seat at the still empty table.
"Hey, it's really good to see you. It's been… how long… Oh yeah, 3 years since we last saw you." He backed up a bit to take a good look at the man in front on him. "Well, you're almost as cute as me."
"You haven't change at all Duo Maxwell."
"Well, a bit, I'm more cute now."
Heero made a tired gesture.
"You said you were looking for me."
"Oh yeah! That's right." He leaned closer to Heero then turned his head around, making sure nobody would hear his conversation.
"It's about Relena." Lowering his voice he added, "She's in trouble, a lots of trouble."
"I know."
Duo backed up again, surprise written all over his face.
"What? You know?! How come?!"
"I was there."
"You were there? But that's impossible, there was only her, that Gabriel, " at that name, Heero's face darkened "I see, you don't like him, jealous….. " At the deadly look Heero made him, Duo decided to continue on with the enumeration " and the guys that attacked them. Oh yeah! There was also that mystery g…" Duo's eyes opened in surprise. "No! That wasn't you?"
Heero nodded. "It was you!!" Duo then calmed himself. "I should have known, only you could have done that. Heero Yuy, still the perfect soldier."
Heero didn't say anything, he was just staring at Duo.
"Hey, wait a minute. Why didn't you say anything to Relena?"
"I have my reasons. You won't tell her anything either."
"But Heero, she needs you. And we need you too. We need your help to protect her."
"You won't tell her anything." Heero glare was dangerous. "That's my business. I won't work with you guys but I'll still protect her, I promised."
" Do you have any idea how she's living now? She wants to see you more than anything. She doesn't say anything because she doesn't want to bother anybody with her love problems, but everybody knows." Heero made a gesture, telling Duo that he wouldn't change his mind.
At that, Duo rose from his seat.
"Well, I can see that you are too chicken to face the woman you love." He added with disgust in his voice. "You don't deserve her." Duo left the table, leaving a speechless Heero behind him.
Relena…
I'm sorry…. But it's better this way.
I… Relena…
******************************************************************************
I have to tell him! I have to tell Duo!
Hilde was running down the street. The bus had let her off near the Preventer Headquarters. Just a few meters to go and I will tell him!
******************************************************************************
24 hours ago.
The television was on. She was seating comfortably in her sofa, looking at the television. The control in her hand, she was changing the channels rapidly, not finding anything she liked to watch. Then, an image caught her attention. Hey, that's Vice foreign minister Darlian. As she pressed the button to come back to that image, she could hear the news.
"Today, the Senate is having another meeting. The Senators are still trying to find a way to keep the fragile peace we obtained 3 years ago." As the commentator continued talking, Hilde was watching the images of the senators who were coming into the senate. "That Peace had cost many human lives and Vice foreign minister Darlian is working very hard so that the humanity won't repeat such a tragedy."
Let's just hope she'll succeed. Poor girl, that's a lot to handle at her age.
Hilde continued on looking at the images, not listening to the commentator anymore. They're all the same; all they want is more power, more money. I just hope that one day they'll understand that we really want to live in peace. Fortunately for her, they are not all bad, some are actually good people but not the majority. Hey wait a minute, that's…
Hilde stopped her thinking, she got up, running to the television screen, looking at the people that were entering the senate. That's him! What the hell he is doing there? Realizing the importance of her discovery, she ran to the phone. She had difficulties dialing the number; her hands were shaking too much.
"Hello? Hello?! Hey miss!……….. Finally! I need a place on the next shuttle going to Earth…… Yeah! I don't care how much it cost, just reserve me that ticket!….. Yeah…. In one hour….. I'll be there!" Hanging down the phone, she realized that she a little time to prepare before leaving.
*****************************************************************************
I have to tell Duo!
Come on! Why can't this shuttle go any faster? I miss my mobile suit.
Hilde was looking at the Earth and thought that it was too far away from the colonies. The shuttle had launch an hour ago and would only reach the Earth in 3 hours. I have to tell the gundam pilots… and soon. Hilde crossed her arms on her chest. I can just imagine what he can do while I stuck in that damn shuttle!
Ding ding!!!
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please stay calm, we are having a little technique problem with the engines. Please, do not panic, everything is going to be all right, we are just going to have a little delay."
Man! Just my luck!
******************************************************************************
The Preventer's Headquarter was at the next corner, she could see the big gate that was so particular to this building. Maybe it was to show more importance to the Preventers? Nobody actually knew why they had chosen that building. It was quite beautiful, that's for sure, an Old French style, but it was much too flashy for the people that were working there.
Lost in thought, Hilde didn't see the man that was in front of her. Once her head was clear again, she was sitting on the sidewalk looking at the sky.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see….YOU!"
When Hilde saw the man's face, she just stopped moving, too surprised to do anything.
"Hilde, it's nice to see you." He smiled, but it wasn't a nice smile, it was more sadistic.
"May I know why you're here?" Hilde got up on her feet, ready to face the man in front of her.
"That's none of your business."
The man smiled again and at the same time pointed a gun at her.
"I believe it is." Showing her the nearest alley he asked her with too much gentleness. "Would you please give me the honor to accompany me."
Hilde couldn't do anything but follow the man's order. She knew he was good, better than she was and she wanted to live, she had to see Duo.
Entering the small alley, Hilde stopped when she was far enough from the street.
"You're not going to get away with this, Kale Barton."
"Well, well, you haven't change at all." He was looking directly into the violet eyes of the young woman. "That's sad, but I can't let you go. You would ruin my plans."
The last thing Hilde saw was him pulling the trigger of his gun.
******************************************************************************
The streets were full of people. They were celebrating the anniversary of the end of the Eve wars, now 4 years past. Some were singing, others dancing, and the streets were full of color and joy, of children laughing. It was difficult to circulate in the streets because of the hordes of people. It was a great day, a happy day, for most of them.
Even Relena was happy. Happy to see that what she was working her life for was actually appreciated by many people. Peace is so wonderful! She loved it and for a brief moment felt very proud of herself, very proud of what she had accomplished, with the others, and also proud to have maintained that so fragile Peace.
Today was a big day and they were holding a reception, with all the senators, at the richest hotel in the city. That hotel belonged to one of the Senators and he had gladly offered it so that he would prove to the others that he wanted to be happy, just like them.
Relena's car managed to make it's way through the crowd and to the entrance of the luxurious hotel. Paygan, her old servant, had offered to take her there. He was so happy to finally help his dear mistress. Paygan was getting old and he couldn't always be present to serve Relena. On this occasion, he wanted to be there. He was the one that looked over her during the war and he felt that it was his duty to be her driver for the day. Relena had gladly accepted the help of her dear friend. It was like the old days, Paygan, herself and… well, now it wasn't Noin that was her bodyguard but it was Wufei. He wasn't as pleasant company but he was ok. Wufei was sitting in front of her in the limo, looking outside, apparently not caring about what was happening inside the car, but the Chinese young man was always on alert and always ready to defend. Sally wasn't there; she had got really sick during the night, not really knowing the cause of the sickness. It had happened so suddenly that they hadn't able to have somebody else take her place. But Relena wasn't scared; Wufei was strong and she trusted his talents. He was really good looking in that tuxedo and Relena smiled discreetly. She then turned her head to look at Gabriel who was sitting beside her. He had insisted on accompanying her, remembering her that she had promised him a dance, a month ago. He was so handsome in that suit. He looked so strong and so virile. Relena blushed shyly noticing that she had been staring at him for a long moment. Luckily for her, he didn't seem to notice. In fact, he looked lost in his thoughts. Well, I better leave him alone; we'll have plenty of time to talk later.
The car stopped in front of the entrance. Relena turned her head to look at the gate. It was so beautiful. An old English gate made of iron, and it also had some majesty in it. Gabriel got out of the car, offering his hand to help Relena. She stepped out, getting on her feet. She was pretty tonight, she had to admit. Her long silky red dress, matching her forms perfectly, was really to her advantage. Quatre had offered her a diamond necklace that she was weary proudly on her neck. Her hair was pulled up and it was a gracious mix of little braids and tufts that were falling each side of her delicate face. She was beautiful, no one could argue with that. Gabriel smiled gently at the young woman and then offered his arm.
"Would you please give me the honor?"
Laughing lightly, Relena put her hand on the powerful arm. She actually really enjoyed that little game.
"It will be my pleasure."
They were starting to go up the stairs that were leading to the entrance when Relena heard Paygan's voice.
"Miss Relena! If you need me, I'll be in the parking, just ask for me."
Turning her head to look at her old friend, Relena thanked him and started to get up the stairs.
The entrance was empty; apparently, everyone was inside or in the garden that was behind the big building. Leading to the entrance was a long alley of old English columns where were suspended many colorful flowers. It was so beautiful, so full of life. Relena was happy to live that day.
Gabriel was about to lead her inside when a voice, coming from one of the column, caught her attention.
"If I were you, I wouldn't go in there."
Relena stopped walking, too shocked by what she has just heard. That voice, she knew that voice. She turned around to look directly in the direction the voice was coming. Gabriel and Wufei had heard it to; Gabriel grabbed Relena's arm, pulling her closer to him in some kind of protection. Wufei didn't seem panicked at all. He knew that voice too and it was a good sign.
"Heero…. Is that you?"
Coming from behind the columns, The Perfect Soldier looked directly into the young woman eyes. He then leaned on the column, still looking at her.
"Yeah."
"So, you're finally back, it's about time Heero." Added Wufei.
Relena was unable to do anything. She couldn't move. She had dreamed so many nights to see him, but now…. It was different. All her anger, her pain, her loneliness were coming back. Deciding that he wasn't going to win this easy, coming back like if nothing had happened, like they were almost total strangers, she straitened her head proudly.
"Who do you think you are to tell me what I should or shouldn't do?"
"I'm the guy that promised to protect you."
Relena started to laugh but it wasn't a joyful laugh, it was more a broken heart laugh.
"To protect me!? Go to hell Heero Yuy!"
With that, she started to head into the building, escaping Gabriel's grasp. Heero, the perfect soldier, wasn't prepared for that kind of reaction, she wasn't supposed to go inside, they were waiting for her, and the noise that the crowd was making was a perfect hiding.
Heero ran after her and encircled her around her waist in the same time she was entering the hotel. As he pulled her back to him, he felt a bullet passing beside his ear. In the same time 10 men were shouting at them, not letting them a chance to escape. Heero had pulled Relena with him behind a column just like Wufei and Gabriel did. One of his hands was shooting at the men that were hiding around them; the other was keeping Relena close to him, not letting her go. Relena wasn't scared, Heero was there to protect her, she knew. It felt so warm to be close to him like this. She could sense his discreet cologne; she could feel his powerful muscles around her. He's back! But Heero didn't seem to notice anything, he was to busy with the new attackers.
"How are we going to escape?"
"I have my plan." Looking at Wufei, he made him a gesture, telling him to cover their escape. He then pulled something from his pocket. Relena saw the two grenades and understood what he was going to do.
"Be ready."
"I am.". Heero looked at Gabriel, telling him to follow once they made their move.
With his teeth, Heero armed the two grenades then threw them at the attackers. As they exploded, Heero grabbed Relena around her waist and started to run towards the gate. Turning his head around, making sure Gabriel was following them; he then looked at Wufei who now had the situation under control. The grenades had killed most of the attackers and Wufei was better than the ones that were still alive, he would be victorious.
Heero was still carrying Relena like if she was as light as a feather. She was moving, trying to escape his grasp that was hurting her.
"Heero! Let go! I can run… Ahhhhh…."
Relena put her left hand on her right arm. She had been shot. One of the bullets had hit her. She could feel her blood leaving her body.
Heero didn't notice that, he wasn't aware of what she was saying or doing, he had to take her to a secured place; that was his mission.
As he reached the gates, he turned around one last time to look at Wufei. The attackers were holding off longer then he had expected. They had to escape. The crowd was the better place to hide. Finally letting Relena go, he grabbed her right hand, pulling her in the crowd.
"We have to hide! Hey you, follow!" Gabriel wasn't really happy with Heero's orders. He was being treated like a child. Also, he had to admit that he didn't like the way the other man was treating Relena, like she belonged to him. Who did this guy think he was?
Heero pulled Relena deep into the crowd, making sure the attackers wouldn't find them if they had followed. They were running for more than five minutes when, for the first time, Heero was aware of Relena's calls again.
"Heero… please stop…I…"
Heero stopped running, he hadn't let her go since the beginning and wasn't about to. He turned around to face her. Gabriel was standing behind her, looking on in horror. She was so pale, and Heero realized that the moisture he had felt in his hand was actually Relena's blood.
"Heero…"
Before he could do anything, Relena had fainted and was caught by an angry Gabriel. The young man kept her tightly in his arms, putting a hand on her wound.
"What were you waiting for? Were you waiting 'till she ran out of blood?"
Heero looked at the young woman, worry written all over his face.
"We have to take her back to the Preventer's Headquarters."
