Chapter 9

Just before you read, sorry about the mistakes, this chapter wasn't beta read and English is not my first language…

Thanks

Maud

Revolution War and Peace

Chapter 9: Strange team

When they all arrived in the yard they all stopped, shocked by what they were seeing: Heero was there, looking straight at the buster riffle Zechs was pointing on him. The Tallgeese wasn't moving, or rather Zechs was staying still. The two men appeared to be having an interior fight. Lady Une took a step further. After all, she was the one in charge and Zechs had no permission to bring his Gundam in the Preventer's yard. She had to admit that, still, she was impressed by the magnificent part of machinery. The Tallgeese always had and always will be her favourite Gundam. The metal was shinning in the sun giving her a feeling of power and fear. Nevertheless, she had to stop this… whatever what going on. She was getting closer to Heero when she heard Trowa's voice.

"Don't. Lady Une."

She turned to face him, surprised that he would give her an order. "What do you mean, Trowa Barton."

"I'm sorry, Lady, but you cannot do anything right now. Heero is the only one capable of calming Zechs."

"We're all dead." Added Duo.

For once, Wufei didn't reply.

Zechs could feel the button under his finger. He just had to press and that little bastard in front of him would be History. He never liked Heero Yuy but had respected Relena's love for him, when he was around. When the boy ran away and left his sister behind, letting her crying for months, he promised himself he would make that little bastard paid. When he heard that he had come back to protect her, he didn't act on it, believing that his sister had the best protection she could have. But now that she was gone and that Yuy had failed at his job, he had no reason not to kill the boy. Zechs had to make him pay for all the misery the boy had bring in his family.

Still, he couldn't do it. Something was holding him back. Maybe his sister… or everyone that was watching.

"Put it down Zechs." The emotionless voice surprised him.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now, Yuy."

Heero stood still, not moving. He had a lot of reason why Zechs shouldn't kill him but he just couldn't tell one. Maybe it would be better this way, to end it now, to be free of all this pain.

"I'm still waiting!"

Heero continued to look straight at the buster. He knew the others were watching.

"Because…because I can save her."

Zechs started to laugh then suddenly stopped. He lowered the buster closer to Heero. "Wrong answer my friend." He was about to push the button when he heard Duo's voice.

"Wait! Zechs!" Turning his face around, he turned to look at the braid's boy. Wufei sighted.

"Stay out of this, Duo." Heero's voice was angry now.

Ignoring him, Duo continued to walk towards the Tallgeese. "I know you guys don't like each other but you've got to work together to save her."

"I don't need him to save my sister. He's done enough."

"I know where she is." Zechs turned around to face Heero again. For a long time, they both kept silence, not knowing what to say or how the other would react. Zechs was the one that finally broke the silence.

"You're telling me you know where that bastard Dulipovici took her."

"Yes."

Zechs kept looking at Heero, not sure if he should trust him or not. Heero wasn't the type of person who would lie just to save his life so he must have been telling the truth.

"If you are lying mister Yuy. I promise you, I'll kill you."

"And I'll let you do it."

Slowly, the buster went down and the door on the Tallgeese opened. Zechs stood up and came down of the Gundam with the cable. Heero didn't move at all when Zechs put his face only inches from his. The two men were looking into each other's eyes; cold prussian blue eyes against cold sky blue eyes.

"Listen to me, Yuy. I don't like you I don't think I ever will, but I agree to work with you for Relena's sake. Know this: If my sister is killed in your little operation, I will kill you with my bare hands." He didn't give Heero a time to answer back (like Heero would have…) and went inside the HQ. Lady Une ran after him while Duo and the others approached Heero slowly. Duo was the first one near him.

"Well, Heero buddy, that was close!"

Heero turned to face Duo. "Duo, next time, mind your own business." He then passed beside him, not giving anyone a look back.

"Geez, what about: thanks for saving my life?!"

"Don't worry Duo," said Quatre "He is grateful, just mad that now he has to work with Zechs."

"Yeah, I can't wait to see that." Answered Duo.

"I don't think it's going to be really fun." Added Trowa.

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And he was right. The meeting had started 3 hours ago and still Heero and Zechs were arguing on how should the operation work. More than once, Lady Une had to stop them, reminding them that the important thing now was to save to time to SAVE Relena. After a lot of discussions and thousands of deathglares, they finally agreed to something. Heero would be the one to go first and would disguise himself. He would infiltrate the base that shouldn't be too much on alert since the enemy didn't know the preveters had their position. After Heero's signal indicating that Relena was free, Zechs would be attacking the main facilities with the Tallgeese: the only really power suit they had. Noin, who arrived during the meeting and Quatre would be attacking the north site while Trowa was taking care of the East one. Duo and Sally would be attacking the South site and Wufei the west one. The white Taurus where the only good mobile suits the preverters had left. Each of the would be equipped with one plus the barrier protection that was invented by the engineers that built the Gundam. The operation was starting at 2 am. They had 9 hours left before it began.

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Trowa took Midii's hand and squeeze it gently. She turned around to face him and for the first time, he noticed something silver falling on her cheek. The night was cold and she shivered lightly. Raising his free hand, he gently wiped out the tear and caressed her cheek.

"Why?"

She turned her face around. She couldn't cry in front of him. She had to be strong. "Nothing." She was trying to take a step back but he held her close to him.

"Don't do this right now, Midii."

Shocked by what he just said, she stepped back and looked at him, sadness and anger in her eyes.

"Don't worry, I won't be weak."

Taking a step closer to her, Trowa grabbed her arm. " You don't understand."

"I understand perfectly. With you, it's not permitted to have emotions."

Angrily, Trowa pulled her closer. "That's exactly what I'm talking about. I'm asking you not to do this! Not to hide your feelings from me!" Surprised Midii turned her face to look at him.

"I… I'm so sorry." She felt another tear coming down her cheek and jumped into Trowa's arms. He didn't seem surprised by her reaction but in fact he was. He put his arms calmly around her and held her close to him, feeling her, her smell, her hair. "Shhhhhh..""

"Trowa, "She said between to silent sobs. "I'm so scared."

"Shhhh…"

She pulled back, her face covered with tears. "Don't Shhhh me right now! I'm scared! Scared to loose you again! "

"You won't. I'll come back to you."

"You can't promise that! You don't know! You won't be piloting a Gundam and you'll be alone."

"I won't be alone, the others will be there to help me."

She started to cry again and he tried to put his arms around her but she pushed him away.

"Trowa. I won't make it if you don't come back to me! I… I love you!" She stopped, surprised by her own words. Lowering her voice, she continued. "I.. I do. I always have… and…"

Trowa took her face in his hands and waited for her to look at him in the eyes. When she did, he talked to her. "I will come back to you. I promised." He pulled her closer and gently, covered her lips with his.

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"I don't like it."

"What?" Asked Sally surprised. Her husband had been in a really dark mood (if it was possible for him) since the meeting.

"I don't want you to fight."

Sally turned to face Wufei who was sitting on a chair near the window of his quarters.

"You must be kidding." She asked, surprised.

"No. I'm not. I told you. I don't like this."

Sally went beside him and made him look at her. "If it's that woman thing again, I can assure you that after this fight, I'll ask for the divorce!"

Wufei jumped on his feet, not prepared for such a menace. "You can't do that!"

"You can bet I will!"

Angrily, he came near her. "Yeah, well, for once, it as nothing to do with you gender but rather the person with whom you'll be working with."

Sally backed off, surprised.

"You…you don't trust Duo? I know you don't like him very much but he's a good pilot."

Wufei started to walk around the room. He hated those situations. "It's not Duo."

"Then, what is it?" Wufei stopped to look at her and started to walk again. Woman. Why is it that they need to hear everything? Can't they automatically know that their man means?

"It's just that…."

"Yes…."

Wufei turned around to face his wife. "Stop it Sally! You know I hate it when you're doing this."

"Doing what? Trying to understand what you mean?"

"Woman…"

"Don't start with that, Wufei."

"Arr…" He started to walk again. Good, he really hated those situations! "It's just that… I won't be there to protect you if something goes wrong. There! You have it! Happy now?"

Sally discreetly smiled and came near her husband. He stopped to look at her and she pulled him close to him.

"You are the most incredible man I know, Wufei Chang."

He looked at her, incredulity in his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean."

She smiled at him and kissed him passionately. Smiling again, she pulled him to the bed.

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Duo entered Heero's room. He wasn't surprised to find his friend near his laptop but he did was surprised to find three empty beers near it. He didn't know Heero could drink. Well, knowing him, that amount of alcohol wouldn't have any effect on him. Still, he didn't know Heero was the kind of person that would pass his tension through alcohol. Heero was about to pull another beer but Duo took it off his hand. The soldier turned to look at him but didn't reply. He deathglared Duo for a moment then continued his work on his laptop.

"Didn't know you liked to drink, Heero."

"Hnn…" Was the only answer from the emotionless pilot.

"Well, it's nice to see that you are at least listening to me."

Heero didn't react and continued his work.

"You know what? You really are a bastard."

When Duo opened his eyes, he was on the floor. His cheek was hurting and Heero was looking at him, blood in his eyes. He rubbed his cheek and got back on his feet. "Man! You really don't like it when people tell you what they think."

"Shut up Duo." Heero's glare was dangerous but Duo didn't care. He was tired of Heero's little attitude.

"Oh… I'm sorry, mister don't like it. Well, that's what come with being a jerk like you are!" Heero tried to hit Duo again but this time he dogged it. "Listen to me mister perfect soldier. Maybe you don't want to hear it but I'm gonna tell you anyway. You are acting like a jerk, Heero! Relena is important to all of us."

"You don't understand, Duo. Just shut up."

"I won't! I lost Hilde for God's sake!!" Duo could feel a tear coming down his cheek but he didn't try to stop it. "Your girl is still alive and everyone one, all your friends are here to save her! " He pointed at him. His tears were now falling on his cheeks but he still didn't care. He had to tell Heero what he had on his mind. "You only think of yourself. Of the little mistake you did."

"Little mistake?! She was kidnapped!"

"KIDNAPPED! Not KILLED!! You still have a chance. You can take that chance and be friendly with the others at the same time." Duo stopped and looked at Heero. His fists were now down and he looked shocked. "I'm your friend, Heero. And believe me, sometimes I really don't know why but still, I will help you." His tone was now calmer and his tears had stopped falling. "You…you have to open you heart to the others Heero, if you don't, you will die."

"Emotions are not necessary in war." Said Heero. He sounded like a machine.

Duo came closer to him and put his hand on Heero's shoulder. "Maybe not Heero, but they are necessary to live. You know that I'm sure. Nobody's perfect, not even you."

"I know."

"Then, let your friends be there to correct you mistake…"

Heero looked in Duo's eyes and for the first time, he really felt something different. Duo, Quatre, Trowa, even Wufei, they all cared for him. He…he had …friends…

"I'm sorry, Duo."

"For what?" Duo asked, surprised.

Heero smiled at him. "For that, "he pointed his cheek "And for the way I've been acting lately."

"Man!!! Everything is forgiven!!!" Duo punched him in the stomach. "Except for the cheek." Heero put his hand on his stomach and started to laugh. Maybe it would be so bad after all to have Duo Maxwell has a friend.

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She had been wandering around for 3 hours now. She didn't know where to go. Lady Une was with Zechs and Noin, talking about something that didn't seem to concerned her. Her brother was with Eve…or Midii. She didn't really know the others pilots, except for Quatre, and she didn't feel like disturbing them right know. The only person she could go see was Quatre. But, she wasn't comfortable with that. As hard as she tried, she couldn't stop loving him. His dark blues eyes were still having the same effect on her. She thought it would be better if she stayed away from him. So that's why she had be wandering. At first, it was ok, but now, she was feeling alone…and lost! For the first time, she realised she didn't know where she was. Oh! Just great! She had never come to these parts and she didn't know haw she got here. She had been thinking all this time and didn't care to look around just to make sure she could find her way back. She found some stairs and decided to go up. Her sister's room was at the 45th level, the stairs at to lead to it. She looked at the level she was…20th….poouufffff.. It would be a long night… After 10 level, she decided to take a little break and to start to look around again. She was tired of those dark stairs. It was really dark in this place. Strange…but she felt comfortable here…like if it was familiar to her. A couple of steps further, she turned to look around. She could feel a presence, someone was near. But who? She was afraid now. She knew that even if it was difficult to enter the preventer's HQ it wasn't impossible. She pushed herself against the wall and waited to the person to pass, hoping she would notice her.

"Who's there?"

Catherine was startled. She knew that voice! It was...

"Quatre!"

"Cathy?"

"Yes! You scared me!"

"I'm really sorry, but.. where are you? I can't see you." Catherine stepped away from the wall and started to search for Quatre. She couldn't see him and almost fell and him. She would have hit the ground if he hadn't caught her in his arms. Uncomfortable with the situation, he rapidly put her back on her feet. Catherine felt hurt by his rudeness.

"Sorry I almost hut you." She said harshly.

"It's…it's ok. Don't worry about it."

"I just want to find my way back." She wanted to get way from him now. "Could you guide my back, please."

"Yes…yes I will. Come, I'll show you a place I like to go." In the dark, he tried to grab her hand but instead mist and put an arm around her. "I'm sorry… could you give me your hand."

Smiling shyly, Catherine took Quatre arm and put her hand in his. She was then pulled and had to run to fallow Quatre.

After a couple of stairs and turns, Quatre pulled her in a room and then on the balcony. That's where he used to go when he felt like being alone. That was also the place he first met Midii. Catherine pulled her hand away and went near the ramp. She leaned over the ramp to look down. Afraid she would fall, Quatre jump to her and pulled her back. "Don't do that! You'll fall." Happy to be in his arms, Catherine only laughed.

"Don't worry, Quatre. I work in a circus, remember?" Quatre opened his arms to let her go which made her heart hitch

"I remember."

They were silent for a moment. They were only standing there, feeling the cool breeze in their faces and watching the beautiful city lights. They didn't want to talk, afraid the break the comfortable mood they were in.

"I'm sorry Cathy." Catherine turned around to look at Quatre. He was already look at her. She could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Quatre…please…"

"I have to tell you, Cathy. I really didn't mean to hurt you the way I did."

She turned around, not wanting to look at him. "Please don't talk about it, Quatre."

She felt him come close to her but took a step away and turned to face him. "Please, Quatre. I can't take this right now!"

Quatre didn't reply, he simply looked at her. She was so beautiful. He always liked her sprits, her sense of humour and her eyes. She had the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen.

"Cathy…." He pulled a hand to touch her face but took it back rapidly. He didn't want to do this. He would hurt her again. He didn't want that. But still, where were those feelings coming from… he thought they were gone…

Catherine looked at him, unsure of what to do. She took a step closer to him and looked at him in the eyes.

"Quatre…could you please….hold me?"

Smiling gently, Quatre opened his arms. She let herself fall in those arms, those powerful arms she had always loved since the first time. He held her close he didn't know for how long…. but for a long time….