Disclaimer: As mentioned in early chapters, I don't own them.
Back to You
Chapter 4
"HILDE...if you don't get down here soon, the sisters have decided to try and convert Quatre and Trowa to a new religion!" Anka yelled from the stairwell.
Adjusting her cap, Hilde came out of the bathroom and headed toward Anka. For the first time in two weeks, she laughed. "I'd like to see that because better women have tried and failed, Anka. If anything, the sisters will completely turn those two off women."
Sure enough, when they walked into the common area, all of the sisters were gathered around the former Gundam pilots, asking various questions and flirting outrageously. Hilde couldn't control her laughter over the comical appearance of both men. They were completely surrounded by women, and neither of them looked like they knew how to escape. Hilde tried to stop laughing, but the thought of two Gundam pilots being held at the mercy of a group of young women when they had able capable of taking out complete armies of mobile dolls was too amusing.
Quatre turned his attention away from the petite blond jabbering in front of him when he heard Hilde's laughter. He sent her a pleading look as the blond continued to talk his ear off. Hilde bounced down the rest of the stairs and made her way through the crowd, grabbing both Quatre and Trowa by the arms and dragging them out the door. Anka and Gwen followed, trying to stifle their giggles behind their hands.
Once outside, both men breathed a sigh of relief. Trowa smoothed out the wrinkles in his suit jacket and looked over at Hilde. "Maybe it would have been a better idea to have met you at the auditorium."
"I hate to be a 'I told you so', but . . ." Hilde countered with a smile, "I did warn you."
The five of them continued to make their way across campus, picking their way through families and their graduates posing for pictures near various landmarks scattered across campus. Hilde watched the interactions between the families and felt her heart sink into her chest. She had no mother or father to share this milestone with and the one person that she wanted to be here was somewhere on L2.
Quatre looked over at Hilde. She looked stunning in her cap and gown. Her dark hair was pinned back to the sides with jeweled barrettes. She wore dark pantyhose and black shoes, as it was required for female undergraduates to wear black dresses under their black gowns. Her cap sat perfectly on her head; the golden tassel bouncing as she walked. He noticed her melancholy mood and her gaze focused on the ground. Trowa nudged Quatre's arm with his elbow and tilted his head toward the crowd of people. Quatre sent his lover a quick smile.
"Anka, would you mind taking a picture of me and Trowa with Hilde?"
"Of course not! Why don't you guys go stand next to the fountain in front of the auditorium?" Anka suggested as she took the digital camera from Quatre.
Standing between Quatre and Trowa, Hilde smiled for the picture. She knew this would be one picture that she would cherish for the rest of her life. Quickly, Anka and Gwen changed positions with the guys and Quatre snapped their picture. Her friends threatened to throw her into the fountain, but luckily a near by campus police officer stopped that idea with just a quick grunt. Quatre and Trowa watched as all three girls quickly shied away from the fountain and moved toward the auditorium entrance. They caught up with them just inside the lobby doors.
Hilde turned toward her friends. "Okay, here's where I go off on my own. Next time you see me, I'll be walking across the stage. Hopefully, I don't trip or fall. I would hate to be remembered for a shining moment like that instead of my other accomplishments. So, wish me luck!" After giving everyone a quick hug, she hurried down the stairs to wait with the other graduates.
***************
'How much longer can this thing go on?' Hilde questioned as the class president continued his speech. So far, the President of the university, a high-ranking government official and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences had all had their 30 minutes of glory. Hilde turned her head up to the crowd, not knowing exactly where her friends were sitting. She smiled as she thought about patient Quatre and Trowa sitting with her flighty roommates. Gwen and Anka were probably about to drive them to drink about now. 'Who would have thought that a simple ceremony could last this long?' Checking her watch, Hilde slumped back further into her seat. 'Hour two completed. Moving into hour three. How much more of this can I take?'
Hilde wasn't the only one checking her watch. Gwen pulled back the sleeve of her lightweight sweater and nudged Anka. "What time does Hilde's shuttle leave?"
"She has to be at the spaceport by 2:00pm. That way she can clear customs with plenty of time to spare."
"Wait a minute. Did you just say that Hilde's shuttle was leaving today?" Quatre asked. "I thought she said she left the day after graduation."
Anka turned slightly in her seat so she could face both gentlemen. "That was her original plan, but after she got back from your birthday party, she decided that it was best to leave directly after graduation. Hilde said she couldn't stand a long drawn out goodbye."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the graduating class of AC 201!" The class president announced into the microphone while the audience began to applaud as the graduates stood. "Everyone, please take hold of your tassels and flip them over to the other side of your cap."
Anka and Gwen turned back around in their seats. Gwen looked down at her watch again. "It's about time. Remind me to not walk when it comes time for me to graduate."
"It's a deal." Anka replied with a quick laugh.
Trowa and Quatre looked at each other. Quatre's brow was drawn together with worry lines. "Do you think he'll make it in time?"
"I don't know, Quatre. I just don't know."
****************
"Damn commercial flights!" Duo cursed under his breath. He stared out the window into space. It reminded him of one dress that Hilde wore once, black and sprinkled with rhinestones. Of course, she was the reason that he was headed for Earth.
He had been sulking around the scrap yard since he returned from Quatre's party. On the calendar in his office, he had marked down Hilde's graduation date. Not that he had originally planned to make an appearance, but at the end of everyday, he marked off one more day.
In the top drawer of his desk, sat a congratulations card and a check with a bunch of zeros on it. She was still his business partner and she deserved part of the huge profits they had made over the past three years. Duo had thought it would have been the perfect gift, to help her start her life after college. But one conversation with Quatre had ended that . . .
Duo watched as the static cleared on the vid-phone and Quatre's face appeared on the screen. "What's up Q-Man? Ever recover from that killer birthday party?"
"Duo! Yeah, my birthday party, if I remember correctly, you put back quiet a few drinks yourself and then you disappeared . . ."
Duo put his hands up and interrupted his friend. "I know. I know." His smile slightly faded. "Hey, Quatre. Can I ask you to do a huge favor for me?"
"Sure, Duo. What is it?"
That's what Duo liked some much about his friends. No matter what, they were there to help you out of any situation without knowing all the details first. They were truly like brothers. He slowly opened the drawer to his desk and pulled out both the card and the check.
"I was going to send this card to Hilde for her graduation, but I don't trust the mail services, especially with this." Duo put the check up against the vid-phone screen.
"Wow, Duo! Are you sure you're not doing anything illegal? There sure are a lot of zeros on that thing." Quatre chuckled.
Duo pulled the check away from the screen and slipped it into the card. "Call it good management. Our little scrap yard has grown by leaps and bounds over the past three years. And this is Hilde's part of all the profits. Her graduation gift."
"I'm sure Hilde will be able to use the money to help her get established on Venus."
"Venus? Why is Hilde going to Venus?"
Quatre watched as Duo let down the wall around his emotions, allowing the surprise, shock and hurt he felt play across his face. He nearly thought about not telling Duo about Hilde, but one look into the sad cobalt eyes of his friend made him change his mind. "She mentioned that she accepted the job in the Venusian Government. I'm guessing that she didn't tell you about it."
"No." Duo hung his head in defeat. Quatre hated to see his friend suffer like this. Both of them were as stubborn as mules when it came to matters of the heart. He just wished that one of them would stand up and say the three words that were needed most.
"Duo, if you still want me to take the card to her, just send it to me. But I really think you need to take it to her in person. You both have a lot of things that need to be said, it's now or never."
Quatre watched as Duo lifted his head, his eyes slightly hidden behind his bangs. "I'll think about it, Quatre." Reaching over to the console, Duo flipped the switch, ending the transmission.
The office was cast into dark shadows as the artificial sunlight had begun to fade in the colony. Duo slumped back into his chair, throwing his hands behind his head. Looking up at the ceiling, all he could do was sigh. Hilde was going to Venus, not only was she going to Venus, but she had lied to him at the party. The fact that she had felt the need to lie didn't sit well in his stomach.
Bringing his eyes back down to the desk, his gaze fell upon a framed picture. In the oak frame, he and Hilde were smiling at each other. The picture had been taken during the Chang wedding reception, only a week before the night that they slept together for the first time. Duo picked the picture off his desk and held it in one hand. He let his other hand drift across the picture, tracing the outline of Hilde's body.
He missed her smile, the candid looks she would send his directions when she was mad, and the sound of her voice. Hell, he just plain missed her. Not only as a friend, but his lover. Even now, he could still close his eyes and replay all the events of that night. He had known what he was doing, but nothing could have stopped him, expect Hilde. And she had opened her arms and accepted him, not rejecting him.
Duo set the picture down and banged his head against the hard surface of the desk. She had not done it once, but twice. Though the night at the party hadn't been a slow and romantic as the first time, passion had still burned brightly in her eyes. And he knew that she was still as inexperienced as the first time. He had been an idiot to let her walk out of the bedroom the following morning. That night, while he held her in his arms, he knew that what he felt for her was love, not lust, like he original thought.
He still let her go, because he didn't want to hold her back. But now, as he lifted his head from the top of the desk, Duo recognized his biggest mistake of all. Letting Hilde go in the first place. He thought he was doing the right thing as he watched her board the plane for Earth three years ago, setting her free from someone who didn't know how to live. Duo realized that he stopped living the day she left.
Although Duo realized that it might not change anything between them, he needed to go to Earth and tell Hilde that he loved her.
Quickly, he dialed the number for the L2 spaceport. Before the operator could say a word, Duo spoke. "I want to buy a ticket to Earth." . . .
His leg was bouncing a mile a minute, an outlet for his nervous energy. Duo kept looking at his watch, wishing the shuttle would fly faster than the time.
The elderly gentleman sitting next to him finally put down his magazine and turned his head toward Duo. "She's must be awful important."
Duo blinked and gave the man a puzzled look. "Excuse me. What did you just say?"
"I said that this women must be very important to you."
"How'd you know that?"
The old man chuckled. "Because there are only two things that make a man nervous. Money and women, and I don't think that money would have you as high strung as you are, young man."
Duo sighed and leaned his head back against the headrest. "Yes, she's very important to me. She's my life. It only took me three years to figure that out. I only hope that I'm not too late to tell her that."
****************
'Accept with your left and shake with the right. Accept with your left and shake with the right.' Hilde kept repeating the phrase over and over again in her head as she stood on the ramp leading up to the stage. Three years and a ton of hard work later, here she was about to accept a piece of life altering paper. 'Who would have thought you would have made it this far, Hilde girl?' In answer to her unspoken question, an image of Duo's face appeared in her mind.
He had known about her drive to learn more about the political structure between the Earth, colonies and now, the other planets. Ever since that fateful meeting, where he had asked her what side she was fighting for, Hilde had made it her personal quest to make sure she was on the right side. As she made her way closer to the podium, Hilde wished that he could have been in the crowd.
"Ms. Hilde Schbeiker, Interspatial Affairs with a minor in political science. Magna Cum Laude."
Hilde walked across the stage, the sounds of applause nearly drowning out the cheering voices of Anka and Gwen. She took her place on the X in front of the University President. Grabbing the diploma in her left hand and clasping his right hand with hers, they both turned and posed for the traditional graduation picture.
"Congratulations, Hilde."
"Thank you, sir."
And in the blink of an eye, it was over. The whole pomp and ceremony was worth the one-minute of fame. Hilde walked down the ramp on the other side of the stairs and returned to her seat. Flipping open the leather case, she smiled at the piece of paper lying inside. Holding her diploma in her hands made the graduation feel complete. Closing the case, she turned her attention back toward the stage.
They were only on the S's; she still had a long wait ahead of her before the ceremony would be over. Glancing at her watch again, Hilde began counting down to a new chapter of her life.
****************
Rain.
It was the first thing he noticed as he ran out of the spaceport. Slow and steady, a curtain of rain continued to fall around him as he desperately tired to flag down a taxi.
'Stupid meteorologists, they can't seem to get anything right.' Unlike the colonies, the weather on Earth was not controlled by a simple flip of a switch. The only thing predictable about the weather was its unpredictability.
A car choose that moment to fly by, spraying most of the water in the curbside puddle onto him. Cursing, Duo jumped out in front of the next taxi, causing it to come to a screeching halt. Completely, soaked to the bone, Duo stalked to the back of the vehicle and flung the back door open.
Sliding across the plastic bench seat, he met the eyes of the driver in the rear view mirror. "The Omega Beta Zeta house, Freie Universitat Berlin campus. If you make it there in record time, I'll make you a very happy man."
The driver smiled as he watched Duo wave a handful of credits in the back seat. Flipping the sign to 'occupied', the driver quickly fastened his seatbelt and hit the gas.
Duo watched as the city of Berlin passed by the windows. The university Hilde was attending was in Dahlem, which was considered the green district of Berlin. Berlin reminded him of the colony, it seemed to stretch on forever. The cab speed by numerous gardens, greenhouses and arboretums. 'No wonder she liked this place so much.'
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of a beautiful European style house. White walls were trimmed with a brown frame along the visible sides of the four-floor building. Above the ornate stained-glass door were nailed the Greek Letters of the Hilde's sorority. Throwing a handful of credits at the driver, Duo quickly opened the back door and ran up to the entrance of the house. Once under the overhang, he pushed the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.
Gwen heard the doorbell from the kitchen. It sounded once, quickly followed by someone constantly pounding on the door. Looking over the island countertop in the kitchen, she saw that all the remaining sisters were too wrapped up in some romantic movie to answer the door. Picking up the pint of ice cream and her spoon, she called over her shoulder, "I'll get the door." Hoping that they would be able to hear the irritation in her Irish drawl. As she walked to the door, Gwen sunk her spoon into the chocolate ice cream, placing the bit in her mouth. With the spoon still hanging out of her mouth, she grabbed the handle and swung the wide open.
The spoon nearly fell out of her gaped mouth. Standing on the other side of the door was the most gorgeous man see had ever seen. Not only was he sexy with his long hair, but he was also dripping wet.
"So are you just going to stand there, or are you going to let me in?" Duo mused, flashing the woman in front of him a half smile.
Gwen pulled herself out of the trance and slowly took a couple of steps back, allowing room for Duo to enter into the foyer. "Uh...oh my god! It's you! You're..."
Before Duo could finish the introduction, Anka came bounding toward the door. "Gwen, I can't believe it! You missed the best part of the movie! Richard just asked..." Anka's sentence died on her tongue when she spotted him standing just inside the doorway. 'He was just as handsome as Hilde had described.' "You have to be Duo Maxwell."
Duo lifted one puzzled eyebrow and regarded the blond. She extended her hand in a friendly gesture. "I'm Anka Steinacher. My stunned friend is Gwen Fitzpatrick. We were Hilde's roommates."
"Were?"
Gwen spoke up. "Aye, she left this afternoon for the spaceport. She took that job on Venus, though neither of us know why she'd want to move to a newly inhabited planet."
"She left this afternoon? She wasn't supposed to leave until tomorrow!" Duo nearly yelled.
Anka looked at the painful expression on his face. She replayed Hilde's account of the party and how she and Duo had fallen in bed together, and how she had forced herself to walk away. 'He's got to love her as much as she loves him. Why else would he show up on after three years?'
Grabbing a piece of paper on the side table near the door, Anka began to vigorously write down the information. Thrusting it in Duo's direction, she smiled. "Here." Duo grabbed the paper and quickly skimmed over it. "It's Hilde's flight info. Her shuttle doesn't leave until almost 4:00pm. You should be able to catch her at the space port, if you hurry."
"Thank you!" Quickly stuffing the scrap of paper in his jeans, Duo flashed them a huge grin, turned to the door, flung it open and ran out into the rain. He came to a skidding halt when he noticed the cab was still parked next the curb. Hurrying down the walk, Duo climbed back into the cab.
The driver turned half way around in the seat. "Call it a hunch, but I had a feeling that you'd need me again. So where to jefe?"
"Back to the spaceport."
Gwen and Anka watched from doorway as the cab raced down the street. Gwen scooped out another bite of her ice cream and placed it her mouth. Once the chocolate had melted and slid down her throat, she slyly smiled. "Where did she find all those handsome men?"
Anka pushed her long hair behind her ear and laughed. "I have no idea, but she better be willing to slip that secret or we may have to torture it out of her."
"I'd sell my soul to the devil just to run my hands through that mass of silky hair. And I'd throw in your soul just to be able to have one night with him between my sheets."
"Gwendolyn Alannah Fitzpatrick!"
Gwen snickered. "Ya can't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing."
Anka sent her friend a scowl that lost its power with the giggle that escaped. "Of course I was." Sighing, Anka turned her attention to the empty street. "I sure hope he makes it in time."
"Me too, Anka. Me too." Slowly both girls walked back inside the house, closing the front door behind them.
****************
"Has anyone asked you to carry any items other than your own?"
"No."
"Have your bags been with you the whole time?"
"Yes."
The attendant took Hilde's picture ID and continued to enter the data into the computer. Hilde blew a stray piece of hair out of her face while she waited at the check-in counter. The butterflies continued to dance in her stomach, as she grew more and more nervous. 'Is it the fact I'm flying or that I am leaving everything I know behind.'
"Okay Ms. Schbeiker. Everything is set. Here is your boarding pass. Your flying out of gate C-14." Hilde grabbed the pass from the young woman and stooped down to pick up her carry on bag. "Have a good flight." The attendant called to her as Hilde walked away from the counter.
She took her time making her way through the spaceport and going through security to get to her departing gate. As she strolled through the terminal, the smell of fresh apple strudel caught the attention of her jumpy stomach. Giggling, she followed her stomach as it lead the way toward the food. After grabbing a huge chunk of strudel and some coffee, Hilde finally found her gate.
Looking at the departure time and referencing her watch, he knew that it would be a good hour before they would begin to board. Moving through the cluster of chairs, Hilde sat down in a hard back chair next to the window. Pulling a book out of her bag, she propped her feet up on the chair across from her and became lost in the story.
****************
Traffic was backed up along the passenger drop off zone, not allowing the cab that Duo sat in any closer to the spaceport. Unable to wait, Duo gave the cab driver some more money. "I appreciated the help." Slamming the back door shut, Duo weaved his way between the stalled traffic on the road. The rain didn't bother him, the fear of being late did. Making a final sprint, Duo made it to the first entrance of the spaceport. As he walked through the automatic doors, he reached in his pocket and pulled out the paper.
Unfolding it, Duo watched as the ink smeared across the page, blurring out all the important flight information. To make matters worse, his watch had stopped at 2:45pm and it had been that way for a while. Growling, he quickly headed toward the shuttle check-in area. As he made his way through the crowd of people, he came across a huge wall clock. '3:15pm! Hilde's flight leaves at 4:00pm!' Desperate for help, Duo stopped one of the security guards.
"Do you know which gate the flight to Venus is leaving from?"
"Sorry, that I don't know. However, there are some vid-screens against that wall over there that showing departing and arriving information." The office stated as he pointed toward the far right wall.
"Thanks!"
Duo ran over to the wall and looked for departing flights for Venus, hoping to find one. He found three instead. Three different carriers had flights scheduled around 4:00pm leaving for Venus. One departing from gate B-2, C-14, and E-5. Frustration flowed through Duo as he continued to stare at the screen. Closing his eyes and letting faith and luck be his guide, Duo pointed to one of the flights. Memorizing the gate, he spun around and headed off in the direction of the terminal, hoping that he had picked the right one.
****************
"Attention ladies and gentlemen. We'll shortly begin general boarding Flight 7643 to Venus. All passengers with small children or passengers that require assistance can make their way to the jetway."
The masculine voice dragged Hilde out of her story. She closed the book, leaned over and placed it back inside her bag. Sitting back up straight, she let her headrest against the cool glass of the window, watching the water droplets cascade down its smooth surface.
A dim reflection of herself stared back from the window. So many things had changed in the last three years. And there were more changes on the horizon. The last time she'd made a big change was coming to Earth for school. Duo had been there, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze right before she boarded the shuttle. But this time, she would be doing it alone.
"We'd like to start general boarding now with rows 20-15."
Hilde watched as a couple picked up their bags and held hands as they moved toward the door. She ripped her gaze from their joined hands and focused on her ticket. 'Seat 3C, at least it's an aisle seat.' Hilde's sad eyes drifted over to the couple, against her will, and watched as the man and woman exchanged a kiss before boarding the plane. Images of the party and the night with Duo flashed through her mind before she could stop them.
Duo made it through the metal detectors with very little problem, except for the silver cross around his neck. Being detained for that brief minute and been hell. If he had missed her by one minute, that security guard was going to pay. Running down the walkway, he tried to avoid from running over anybody.
"Passengers with tickets for seats on rows 10-15 on Flight 7643 may now board."
Duo came to such an abrupt stop that someone ran into the back of him. He turned toward the waiting area scanning the seats for Hilde, ignoring the apologies from the young man who nearly ran him over.
Duo's gaze narrowed as he continued to scan the crowd for her. He caught a glimpse of midnight black hair as the people made their way toward the gate. "Hilde." He whispered when he could completely see her, sitting next to the window. Stealthily, Duo made is way over to her seat.
Hilde was so lost in her own memories she didn't notice the shadow that passed over her.
"Is this seat taken?"
The voice sounded like music to Hilde's ears. Whipping her head around, she found him standing directly in front of her seat. "Duo." His name somehow made it past the lump that had formed in her throat.
"Don't you ever stick to your original plans?" His voice sounded hoarse as he sat down in the seat across from her. Hilde strained to look into his eyes that were hidden behind his bangs.
Searching for some humor to lighten the silence that hung between them, she answered, "You know me. I never listen to orders or follow through with plans."
"Yeah, and that's when you get into the most trouble." Lifting his face, he stared at her with sorrowful, pleading eyes. Hilde found all of his emotions staring back at her. She felt the familiar sting of tears form in her own eyes, as she was unable to rip her gaze away from his.
"We'd like to continue general boarding for those passengers with seats in rows 5-10."
They both turned their attention to the jetway before looking back at each other. Hilde was frozen to her seat and Duo slid out of his and onto his knees directly in front of her.
"Hilde, please don't go."
His request rang in her ears; echoing deeper and deeper, finally reaching her heart. She started wringing her ticket in her hands, her eyes dancing around the spaceport, desperately trying to focus on anything but his eyes. Duo lifted his hands up to her face and cupped her cheeks in his warm palms. Salty tears started falling against her will. He gently tilted her head down toward his face.
"Hilde, please don't go. I need you. The house seems so empty without the sound of your laughter, the smell of your cooking and you yelling at me for one thing or another." Duo paused as he tried to gather his thoughts. "It's not just the house that's empty, it's my life too. I only feel alive when you are there, standing beside me, smiling at me. Hilde, I need you because I love you."
Hilde's eyes widened in surprise at his simple declaration. More tears sprung from her eyes as she watched him battle to keep his emotions under control. His hands slid from her face and grabbed her clenched hands that lay in her lap. Duo laid his forehead against their hands. "I was wrong when I said that making love to you was a big mistake. The biggest mistake I've made was letting you go."
"Duo, I..."
"Passengers in rows 1-5 may now board the shuttle."
Blinking back the tears, Hilde turned her face to the ceiling and rested her chin on top of Duo's head. "I love you, too." She whispered. Pulling her hand from his tight grasp, she pulled her head back and brought his face up to hers. "I've loved you for the longest time, Duo. And I will still continue to love you, but..."
"But you're still leaving, aren't you?"
She used her thumb and whipped away the lone tear that escaped his cobalt colored eyes. "Duo, I've discovered something about myself in the past three years. Something that I have to see to the end, to help me find myself, to explore the new person I've become."
His eyes searched hers. "You are still the same person that I fell in love with. You have the same gentle manner, intelligence, kindness and personality that you've always had..." Duo let out a ragged breath. "But if this is something that you need to do, I won't stand in your way. I love you, Hilde Schbeiker and I'll wait for you."
"This is the final boarding call for Flight 7643 to Venus."
Duo began to stand, bringing Hilde with him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and placed his face into her hair. "Just don't take too long. Patience isn't one of my strong suits."
"No, it certainly isn't." She giggled into the damp shirt plastered against his chest. Pulling back a little, Hilde stood up on her toes and placed her warm lips against his. They clung to each other, not wanting to let go. Finally, she pulled out of his grasp, picked up her luggage and made her way toward the flight attendant.
"Hilde, wait." Duo called to her. Stopping at the entrance to the jetway, she watched as Duo reached around to the back of his neck and unclasped the necklace. Holding the cross in his hand, the chain swaying with each step he took, Duo made his way toward her.
"Duo, I can't take it! Your cross means everything to you."
Reaching behind her neck, Duo placed the tiny hoop into the clasp, letting the small silver cross fall against her chest. He then moved his arms down to her waist and held her tightly against his body. "I want you to have it, Hilde. To remind you that I love you and will be waiting for you." Catching her lips with his own, Duo kissed her goodbye, placing all of his love in that one kiss.
"Excuse me, miss, but we are ready to leave."
Sighing, Hilde pulled away from his embrace, quickly whispered, "I love you.", and fled down the jetway. Duo watched as they closed the door behind her. For only one of the few times in his life, Duo broke down and cried.
Back to You
Chapter 4
"HILDE...if you don't get down here soon, the sisters have decided to try and convert Quatre and Trowa to a new religion!" Anka yelled from the stairwell.
Adjusting her cap, Hilde came out of the bathroom and headed toward Anka. For the first time in two weeks, she laughed. "I'd like to see that because better women have tried and failed, Anka. If anything, the sisters will completely turn those two off women."
Sure enough, when they walked into the common area, all of the sisters were gathered around the former Gundam pilots, asking various questions and flirting outrageously. Hilde couldn't control her laughter over the comical appearance of both men. They were completely surrounded by women, and neither of them looked like they knew how to escape. Hilde tried to stop laughing, but the thought of two Gundam pilots being held at the mercy of a group of young women when they had able capable of taking out complete armies of mobile dolls was too amusing.
Quatre turned his attention away from the petite blond jabbering in front of him when he heard Hilde's laughter. He sent her a pleading look as the blond continued to talk his ear off. Hilde bounced down the rest of the stairs and made her way through the crowd, grabbing both Quatre and Trowa by the arms and dragging them out the door. Anka and Gwen followed, trying to stifle their giggles behind their hands.
Once outside, both men breathed a sigh of relief. Trowa smoothed out the wrinkles in his suit jacket and looked over at Hilde. "Maybe it would have been a better idea to have met you at the auditorium."
"I hate to be a 'I told you so', but . . ." Hilde countered with a smile, "I did warn you."
The five of them continued to make their way across campus, picking their way through families and their graduates posing for pictures near various landmarks scattered across campus. Hilde watched the interactions between the families and felt her heart sink into her chest. She had no mother or father to share this milestone with and the one person that she wanted to be here was somewhere on L2.
Quatre looked over at Hilde. She looked stunning in her cap and gown. Her dark hair was pinned back to the sides with jeweled barrettes. She wore dark pantyhose and black shoes, as it was required for female undergraduates to wear black dresses under their black gowns. Her cap sat perfectly on her head; the golden tassel bouncing as she walked. He noticed her melancholy mood and her gaze focused on the ground. Trowa nudged Quatre's arm with his elbow and tilted his head toward the crowd of people. Quatre sent his lover a quick smile.
"Anka, would you mind taking a picture of me and Trowa with Hilde?"
"Of course not! Why don't you guys go stand next to the fountain in front of the auditorium?" Anka suggested as she took the digital camera from Quatre.
Standing between Quatre and Trowa, Hilde smiled for the picture. She knew this would be one picture that she would cherish for the rest of her life. Quickly, Anka and Gwen changed positions with the guys and Quatre snapped their picture. Her friends threatened to throw her into the fountain, but luckily a near by campus police officer stopped that idea with just a quick grunt. Quatre and Trowa watched as all three girls quickly shied away from the fountain and moved toward the auditorium entrance. They caught up with them just inside the lobby doors.
Hilde turned toward her friends. "Okay, here's where I go off on my own. Next time you see me, I'll be walking across the stage. Hopefully, I don't trip or fall. I would hate to be remembered for a shining moment like that instead of my other accomplishments. So, wish me luck!" After giving everyone a quick hug, she hurried down the stairs to wait with the other graduates.
***************
'How much longer can this thing go on?' Hilde questioned as the class president continued his speech. So far, the President of the university, a high-ranking government official and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences had all had their 30 minutes of glory. Hilde turned her head up to the crowd, not knowing exactly where her friends were sitting. She smiled as she thought about patient Quatre and Trowa sitting with her flighty roommates. Gwen and Anka were probably about to drive them to drink about now. 'Who would have thought that a simple ceremony could last this long?' Checking her watch, Hilde slumped back further into her seat. 'Hour two completed. Moving into hour three. How much more of this can I take?'
Hilde wasn't the only one checking her watch. Gwen pulled back the sleeve of her lightweight sweater and nudged Anka. "What time does Hilde's shuttle leave?"
"She has to be at the spaceport by 2:00pm. That way she can clear customs with plenty of time to spare."
"Wait a minute. Did you just say that Hilde's shuttle was leaving today?" Quatre asked. "I thought she said she left the day after graduation."
Anka turned slightly in her seat so she could face both gentlemen. "That was her original plan, but after she got back from your birthday party, she decided that it was best to leave directly after graduation. Hilde said she couldn't stand a long drawn out goodbye."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce the graduating class of AC 201!" The class president announced into the microphone while the audience began to applaud as the graduates stood. "Everyone, please take hold of your tassels and flip them over to the other side of your cap."
Anka and Gwen turned back around in their seats. Gwen looked down at her watch again. "It's about time. Remind me to not walk when it comes time for me to graduate."
"It's a deal." Anka replied with a quick laugh.
Trowa and Quatre looked at each other. Quatre's brow was drawn together with worry lines. "Do you think he'll make it in time?"
"I don't know, Quatre. I just don't know."
****************
"Damn commercial flights!" Duo cursed under his breath. He stared out the window into space. It reminded him of one dress that Hilde wore once, black and sprinkled with rhinestones. Of course, she was the reason that he was headed for Earth.
He had been sulking around the scrap yard since he returned from Quatre's party. On the calendar in his office, he had marked down Hilde's graduation date. Not that he had originally planned to make an appearance, but at the end of everyday, he marked off one more day.
In the top drawer of his desk, sat a congratulations card and a check with a bunch of zeros on it. She was still his business partner and she deserved part of the huge profits they had made over the past three years. Duo had thought it would have been the perfect gift, to help her start her life after college. But one conversation with Quatre had ended that . . .
Duo watched as the static cleared on the vid-phone and Quatre's face appeared on the screen. "What's up Q-Man? Ever recover from that killer birthday party?"
"Duo! Yeah, my birthday party, if I remember correctly, you put back quiet a few drinks yourself and then you disappeared . . ."
Duo put his hands up and interrupted his friend. "I know. I know." His smile slightly faded. "Hey, Quatre. Can I ask you to do a huge favor for me?"
"Sure, Duo. What is it?"
That's what Duo liked some much about his friends. No matter what, they were there to help you out of any situation without knowing all the details first. They were truly like brothers. He slowly opened the drawer to his desk and pulled out both the card and the check.
"I was going to send this card to Hilde for her graduation, but I don't trust the mail services, especially with this." Duo put the check up against the vid-phone screen.
"Wow, Duo! Are you sure you're not doing anything illegal? There sure are a lot of zeros on that thing." Quatre chuckled.
Duo pulled the check away from the screen and slipped it into the card. "Call it good management. Our little scrap yard has grown by leaps and bounds over the past three years. And this is Hilde's part of all the profits. Her graduation gift."
"I'm sure Hilde will be able to use the money to help her get established on Venus."
"Venus? Why is Hilde going to Venus?"
Quatre watched as Duo let down the wall around his emotions, allowing the surprise, shock and hurt he felt play across his face. He nearly thought about not telling Duo about Hilde, but one look into the sad cobalt eyes of his friend made him change his mind. "She mentioned that she accepted the job in the Venusian Government. I'm guessing that she didn't tell you about it."
"No." Duo hung his head in defeat. Quatre hated to see his friend suffer like this. Both of them were as stubborn as mules when it came to matters of the heart. He just wished that one of them would stand up and say the three words that were needed most.
"Duo, if you still want me to take the card to her, just send it to me. But I really think you need to take it to her in person. You both have a lot of things that need to be said, it's now or never."
Quatre watched as Duo lifted his head, his eyes slightly hidden behind his bangs. "I'll think about it, Quatre." Reaching over to the console, Duo flipped the switch, ending the transmission.
The office was cast into dark shadows as the artificial sunlight had begun to fade in the colony. Duo slumped back into his chair, throwing his hands behind his head. Looking up at the ceiling, all he could do was sigh. Hilde was going to Venus, not only was she going to Venus, but she had lied to him at the party. The fact that she had felt the need to lie didn't sit well in his stomach.
Bringing his eyes back down to the desk, his gaze fell upon a framed picture. In the oak frame, he and Hilde were smiling at each other. The picture had been taken during the Chang wedding reception, only a week before the night that they slept together for the first time. Duo picked the picture off his desk and held it in one hand. He let his other hand drift across the picture, tracing the outline of Hilde's body.
He missed her smile, the candid looks she would send his directions when she was mad, and the sound of her voice. Hell, he just plain missed her. Not only as a friend, but his lover. Even now, he could still close his eyes and replay all the events of that night. He had known what he was doing, but nothing could have stopped him, expect Hilde. And she had opened her arms and accepted him, not rejecting him.
Duo set the picture down and banged his head against the hard surface of the desk. She had not done it once, but twice. Though the night at the party hadn't been a slow and romantic as the first time, passion had still burned brightly in her eyes. And he knew that she was still as inexperienced as the first time. He had been an idiot to let her walk out of the bedroom the following morning. That night, while he held her in his arms, he knew that what he felt for her was love, not lust, like he original thought.
He still let her go, because he didn't want to hold her back. But now, as he lifted his head from the top of the desk, Duo recognized his biggest mistake of all. Letting Hilde go in the first place. He thought he was doing the right thing as he watched her board the plane for Earth three years ago, setting her free from someone who didn't know how to live. Duo realized that he stopped living the day she left.
Although Duo realized that it might not change anything between them, he needed to go to Earth and tell Hilde that he loved her.
Quickly, he dialed the number for the L2 spaceport. Before the operator could say a word, Duo spoke. "I want to buy a ticket to Earth." . . .
His leg was bouncing a mile a minute, an outlet for his nervous energy. Duo kept looking at his watch, wishing the shuttle would fly faster than the time.
The elderly gentleman sitting next to him finally put down his magazine and turned his head toward Duo. "She's must be awful important."
Duo blinked and gave the man a puzzled look. "Excuse me. What did you just say?"
"I said that this women must be very important to you."
"How'd you know that?"
The old man chuckled. "Because there are only two things that make a man nervous. Money and women, and I don't think that money would have you as high strung as you are, young man."
Duo sighed and leaned his head back against the headrest. "Yes, she's very important to me. She's my life. It only took me three years to figure that out. I only hope that I'm not too late to tell her that."
****************
'Accept with your left and shake with the right. Accept with your left and shake with the right.' Hilde kept repeating the phrase over and over again in her head as she stood on the ramp leading up to the stage. Three years and a ton of hard work later, here she was about to accept a piece of life altering paper. 'Who would have thought you would have made it this far, Hilde girl?' In answer to her unspoken question, an image of Duo's face appeared in her mind.
He had known about her drive to learn more about the political structure between the Earth, colonies and now, the other planets. Ever since that fateful meeting, where he had asked her what side she was fighting for, Hilde had made it her personal quest to make sure she was on the right side. As she made her way closer to the podium, Hilde wished that he could have been in the crowd.
"Ms. Hilde Schbeiker, Interspatial Affairs with a minor in political science. Magna Cum Laude."
Hilde walked across the stage, the sounds of applause nearly drowning out the cheering voices of Anka and Gwen. She took her place on the X in front of the University President. Grabbing the diploma in her left hand and clasping his right hand with hers, they both turned and posed for the traditional graduation picture.
"Congratulations, Hilde."
"Thank you, sir."
And in the blink of an eye, it was over. The whole pomp and ceremony was worth the one-minute of fame. Hilde walked down the ramp on the other side of the stairs and returned to her seat. Flipping open the leather case, she smiled at the piece of paper lying inside. Holding her diploma in her hands made the graduation feel complete. Closing the case, she turned her attention back toward the stage.
They were only on the S's; she still had a long wait ahead of her before the ceremony would be over. Glancing at her watch again, Hilde began counting down to a new chapter of her life.
****************
Rain.
It was the first thing he noticed as he ran out of the spaceport. Slow and steady, a curtain of rain continued to fall around him as he desperately tired to flag down a taxi.
'Stupid meteorologists, they can't seem to get anything right.' Unlike the colonies, the weather on Earth was not controlled by a simple flip of a switch. The only thing predictable about the weather was its unpredictability.
A car choose that moment to fly by, spraying most of the water in the curbside puddle onto him. Cursing, Duo jumped out in front of the next taxi, causing it to come to a screeching halt. Completely, soaked to the bone, Duo stalked to the back of the vehicle and flung the back door open.
Sliding across the plastic bench seat, he met the eyes of the driver in the rear view mirror. "The Omega Beta Zeta house, Freie Universitat Berlin campus. If you make it there in record time, I'll make you a very happy man."
The driver smiled as he watched Duo wave a handful of credits in the back seat. Flipping the sign to 'occupied', the driver quickly fastened his seatbelt and hit the gas.
Duo watched as the city of Berlin passed by the windows. The university Hilde was attending was in Dahlem, which was considered the green district of Berlin. Berlin reminded him of the colony, it seemed to stretch on forever. The cab speed by numerous gardens, greenhouses and arboretums. 'No wonder she liked this place so much.'
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of a beautiful European style house. White walls were trimmed with a brown frame along the visible sides of the four-floor building. Above the ornate stained-glass door were nailed the Greek Letters of the Hilde's sorority. Throwing a handful of credits at the driver, Duo quickly opened the back door and ran up to the entrance of the house. Once under the overhang, he pushed the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.
Gwen heard the doorbell from the kitchen. It sounded once, quickly followed by someone constantly pounding on the door. Looking over the island countertop in the kitchen, she saw that all the remaining sisters were too wrapped up in some romantic movie to answer the door. Picking up the pint of ice cream and her spoon, she called over her shoulder, "I'll get the door." Hoping that they would be able to hear the irritation in her Irish drawl. As she walked to the door, Gwen sunk her spoon into the chocolate ice cream, placing the bit in her mouth. With the spoon still hanging out of her mouth, she grabbed the handle and swung the wide open.
The spoon nearly fell out of her gaped mouth. Standing on the other side of the door was the most gorgeous man see had ever seen. Not only was he sexy with his long hair, but he was also dripping wet.
"So are you just going to stand there, or are you going to let me in?" Duo mused, flashing the woman in front of him a half smile.
Gwen pulled herself out of the trance and slowly took a couple of steps back, allowing room for Duo to enter into the foyer. "Uh...oh my god! It's you! You're..."
Before Duo could finish the introduction, Anka came bounding toward the door. "Gwen, I can't believe it! You missed the best part of the movie! Richard just asked..." Anka's sentence died on her tongue when she spotted him standing just inside the doorway. 'He was just as handsome as Hilde had described.' "You have to be Duo Maxwell."
Duo lifted one puzzled eyebrow and regarded the blond. She extended her hand in a friendly gesture. "I'm Anka Steinacher. My stunned friend is Gwen Fitzpatrick. We were Hilde's roommates."
"Were?"
Gwen spoke up. "Aye, she left this afternoon for the spaceport. She took that job on Venus, though neither of us know why she'd want to move to a newly inhabited planet."
"She left this afternoon? She wasn't supposed to leave until tomorrow!" Duo nearly yelled.
Anka looked at the painful expression on his face. She replayed Hilde's account of the party and how she and Duo had fallen in bed together, and how she had forced herself to walk away. 'He's got to love her as much as she loves him. Why else would he show up on after three years?'
Grabbing a piece of paper on the side table near the door, Anka began to vigorously write down the information. Thrusting it in Duo's direction, she smiled. "Here." Duo grabbed the paper and quickly skimmed over it. "It's Hilde's flight info. Her shuttle doesn't leave until almost 4:00pm. You should be able to catch her at the space port, if you hurry."
"Thank you!" Quickly stuffing the scrap of paper in his jeans, Duo flashed them a huge grin, turned to the door, flung it open and ran out into the rain. He came to a skidding halt when he noticed the cab was still parked next the curb. Hurrying down the walk, Duo climbed back into the cab.
The driver turned half way around in the seat. "Call it a hunch, but I had a feeling that you'd need me again. So where to jefe?"
"Back to the spaceport."
Gwen and Anka watched from doorway as the cab raced down the street. Gwen scooped out another bite of her ice cream and placed it her mouth. Once the chocolate had melted and slid down her throat, she slyly smiled. "Where did she find all those handsome men?"
Anka pushed her long hair behind her ear and laughed. "I have no idea, but she better be willing to slip that secret or we may have to torture it out of her."
"I'd sell my soul to the devil just to run my hands through that mass of silky hair. And I'd throw in your soul just to be able to have one night with him between my sheets."
"Gwendolyn Alannah Fitzpatrick!"
Gwen snickered. "Ya can't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing."
Anka sent her friend a scowl that lost its power with the giggle that escaped. "Of course I was." Sighing, Anka turned her attention to the empty street. "I sure hope he makes it in time."
"Me too, Anka. Me too." Slowly both girls walked back inside the house, closing the front door behind them.
****************
"Has anyone asked you to carry any items other than your own?"
"No."
"Have your bags been with you the whole time?"
"Yes."
The attendant took Hilde's picture ID and continued to enter the data into the computer. Hilde blew a stray piece of hair out of her face while she waited at the check-in counter. The butterflies continued to dance in her stomach, as she grew more and more nervous. 'Is it the fact I'm flying or that I am leaving everything I know behind.'
"Okay Ms. Schbeiker. Everything is set. Here is your boarding pass. Your flying out of gate C-14." Hilde grabbed the pass from the young woman and stooped down to pick up her carry on bag. "Have a good flight." The attendant called to her as Hilde walked away from the counter.
She took her time making her way through the spaceport and going through security to get to her departing gate. As she strolled through the terminal, the smell of fresh apple strudel caught the attention of her jumpy stomach. Giggling, she followed her stomach as it lead the way toward the food. After grabbing a huge chunk of strudel and some coffee, Hilde finally found her gate.
Looking at the departure time and referencing her watch, he knew that it would be a good hour before they would begin to board. Moving through the cluster of chairs, Hilde sat down in a hard back chair next to the window. Pulling a book out of her bag, she propped her feet up on the chair across from her and became lost in the story.
****************
Traffic was backed up along the passenger drop off zone, not allowing the cab that Duo sat in any closer to the spaceport. Unable to wait, Duo gave the cab driver some more money. "I appreciated the help." Slamming the back door shut, Duo weaved his way between the stalled traffic on the road. The rain didn't bother him, the fear of being late did. Making a final sprint, Duo made it to the first entrance of the spaceport. As he walked through the automatic doors, he reached in his pocket and pulled out the paper.
Unfolding it, Duo watched as the ink smeared across the page, blurring out all the important flight information. To make matters worse, his watch had stopped at 2:45pm and it had been that way for a while. Growling, he quickly headed toward the shuttle check-in area. As he made his way through the crowd of people, he came across a huge wall clock. '3:15pm! Hilde's flight leaves at 4:00pm!' Desperate for help, Duo stopped one of the security guards.
"Do you know which gate the flight to Venus is leaving from?"
"Sorry, that I don't know. However, there are some vid-screens against that wall over there that showing departing and arriving information." The office stated as he pointed toward the far right wall.
"Thanks!"
Duo ran over to the wall and looked for departing flights for Venus, hoping to find one. He found three instead. Three different carriers had flights scheduled around 4:00pm leaving for Venus. One departing from gate B-2, C-14, and E-5. Frustration flowed through Duo as he continued to stare at the screen. Closing his eyes and letting faith and luck be his guide, Duo pointed to one of the flights. Memorizing the gate, he spun around and headed off in the direction of the terminal, hoping that he had picked the right one.
****************
"Attention ladies and gentlemen. We'll shortly begin general boarding Flight 7643 to Venus. All passengers with small children or passengers that require assistance can make their way to the jetway."
The masculine voice dragged Hilde out of her story. She closed the book, leaned over and placed it back inside her bag. Sitting back up straight, she let her headrest against the cool glass of the window, watching the water droplets cascade down its smooth surface.
A dim reflection of herself stared back from the window. So many things had changed in the last three years. And there were more changes on the horizon. The last time she'd made a big change was coming to Earth for school. Duo had been there, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze right before she boarded the shuttle. But this time, she would be doing it alone.
"We'd like to start general boarding now with rows 20-15."
Hilde watched as a couple picked up their bags and held hands as they moved toward the door. She ripped her gaze from their joined hands and focused on her ticket. 'Seat 3C, at least it's an aisle seat.' Hilde's sad eyes drifted over to the couple, against her will, and watched as the man and woman exchanged a kiss before boarding the plane. Images of the party and the night with Duo flashed through her mind before she could stop them.
Duo made it through the metal detectors with very little problem, except for the silver cross around his neck. Being detained for that brief minute and been hell. If he had missed her by one minute, that security guard was going to pay. Running down the walkway, he tried to avoid from running over anybody.
"Passengers with tickets for seats on rows 10-15 on Flight 7643 may now board."
Duo came to such an abrupt stop that someone ran into the back of him. He turned toward the waiting area scanning the seats for Hilde, ignoring the apologies from the young man who nearly ran him over.
Duo's gaze narrowed as he continued to scan the crowd for her. He caught a glimpse of midnight black hair as the people made their way toward the gate. "Hilde." He whispered when he could completely see her, sitting next to the window. Stealthily, Duo made is way over to her seat.
Hilde was so lost in her own memories she didn't notice the shadow that passed over her.
"Is this seat taken?"
The voice sounded like music to Hilde's ears. Whipping her head around, she found him standing directly in front of her seat. "Duo." His name somehow made it past the lump that had formed in her throat.
"Don't you ever stick to your original plans?" His voice sounded hoarse as he sat down in the seat across from her. Hilde strained to look into his eyes that were hidden behind his bangs.
Searching for some humor to lighten the silence that hung between them, she answered, "You know me. I never listen to orders or follow through with plans."
"Yeah, and that's when you get into the most trouble." Lifting his face, he stared at her with sorrowful, pleading eyes. Hilde found all of his emotions staring back at her. She felt the familiar sting of tears form in her own eyes, as she was unable to rip her gaze away from his.
"We'd like to continue general boarding for those passengers with seats in rows 5-10."
They both turned their attention to the jetway before looking back at each other. Hilde was frozen to her seat and Duo slid out of his and onto his knees directly in front of her.
"Hilde, please don't go."
His request rang in her ears; echoing deeper and deeper, finally reaching her heart. She started wringing her ticket in her hands, her eyes dancing around the spaceport, desperately trying to focus on anything but his eyes. Duo lifted his hands up to her face and cupped her cheeks in his warm palms. Salty tears started falling against her will. He gently tilted her head down toward his face.
"Hilde, please don't go. I need you. The house seems so empty without the sound of your laughter, the smell of your cooking and you yelling at me for one thing or another." Duo paused as he tried to gather his thoughts. "It's not just the house that's empty, it's my life too. I only feel alive when you are there, standing beside me, smiling at me. Hilde, I need you because I love you."
Hilde's eyes widened in surprise at his simple declaration. More tears sprung from her eyes as she watched him battle to keep his emotions under control. His hands slid from her face and grabbed her clenched hands that lay in her lap. Duo laid his forehead against their hands. "I was wrong when I said that making love to you was a big mistake. The biggest mistake I've made was letting you go."
"Duo, I..."
"Passengers in rows 1-5 may now board the shuttle."
Blinking back the tears, Hilde turned her face to the ceiling and rested her chin on top of Duo's head. "I love you, too." She whispered. Pulling her hand from his tight grasp, she pulled her head back and brought his face up to hers. "I've loved you for the longest time, Duo. And I will still continue to love you, but..."
"But you're still leaving, aren't you?"
She used her thumb and whipped away the lone tear that escaped his cobalt colored eyes. "Duo, I've discovered something about myself in the past three years. Something that I have to see to the end, to help me find myself, to explore the new person I've become."
His eyes searched hers. "You are still the same person that I fell in love with. You have the same gentle manner, intelligence, kindness and personality that you've always had..." Duo let out a ragged breath. "But if this is something that you need to do, I won't stand in your way. I love you, Hilde Schbeiker and I'll wait for you."
"This is the final boarding call for Flight 7643 to Venus."
Duo began to stand, bringing Hilde with him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and placed his face into her hair. "Just don't take too long. Patience isn't one of my strong suits."
"No, it certainly isn't." She giggled into the damp shirt plastered against his chest. Pulling back a little, Hilde stood up on her toes and placed her warm lips against his. They clung to each other, not wanting to let go. Finally, she pulled out of his grasp, picked up her luggage and made her way toward the flight attendant.
"Hilde, wait." Duo called to her. Stopping at the entrance to the jetway, she watched as Duo reached around to the back of his neck and unclasped the necklace. Holding the cross in his hand, the chain swaying with each step he took, Duo made his way toward her.
"Duo, I can't take it! Your cross means everything to you."
Reaching behind her neck, Duo placed the tiny hoop into the clasp, letting the small silver cross fall against her chest. He then moved his arms down to her waist and held her tightly against his body. "I want you to have it, Hilde. To remind you that I love you and will be waiting for you." Catching her lips with his own, Duo kissed her goodbye, placing all of his love in that one kiss.
"Excuse me, miss, but we are ready to leave."
Sighing, Hilde pulled away from his embrace, quickly whispered, "I love you.", and fled down the jetway. Duo watched as they closed the door behind her. For only one of the few times in his life, Duo broke down and cried.
