Stop The World
18


Title: Stop The World Part 18...
Rated: PG-14
Warnings: A.U., mystery!, shounen ai 1x2 of course with background 3x4 and Rx13, slight suggestion of 5xS (can't have Wuffers all alone, LOL). Cursing, tons of P.O.V. switching, drama, and sap. Small, small amount of future angst.



PART 18

The angel Dorothy covered her mouth as blood splattered from Relena Peacecraft's lips-- she was seizing, crying, and silently begging for the hands around her neck to release...

As Dorothy had hovered in the hospital room in the farthest corner, two police officers entered. This was Earth's attempt at an investigation; and they too had made the wrong judgment about the fallen angel Heero. Dorothy was almost hopeful that they'd believe Relena, and give the fallen angel peace.

Minutes after the officer's arrival, a bright and furious flash of ethereal light had exploded into the room, seen only by Dorothy and perhaps the poor Peacecraft woman. Yes, she must have seen the furious ephemeral as it took her slender neck in its too-strong grip. Dorothy couldn't see his expression, but from the heat of his light, and the furious words he spat... he was going to kill her.

"Crazy, sister, I am not. I am merely ridding this realm of something wrong-- *two* if you count her. I should make it three witch." The murderous angel gave Relena a painful shake, making her subsequent scream garbled, and all the more pain filled.

"I need to finish things however. They're not destroying him fast enough."

The angel vanished with one last shove to Relena's neck... Her tears were red now, mingled with blood. Her own brother, and an angel, Dorothy thought with a shiver. She could have helped... but her orders were clear: you'll know when to interfere. Until then, don't. The officers practically ran out of the room as Relena shouted desperately around her pain and the life's liquid coursing down her throat.

Dorothy rose solemnly through the ceiling and sky. Everything was falling into place.







"I miss you," Quatre whispered. "I still can't believe that you're gone..." He was speaking to a memory. Its source had been gone for a little over two weeks, yet her presence hung like a thick perfume in the room. Sort of like the fingerprinting dust that coated the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling.

"You were so beautiful--" he felt his throat tighten, and tears were threatening to break him-- "I don't know why *anyone* would ever want to hurt you. You were perfect, Iria..." Quatre let his head hang a moment, collecting himself before he messed up the powder with his tears, and brought down the wrath of Detective Chang. And Detective Barton... "I wish I could tell you about Trowa. You'd like him."

Too late; his gaze was blurred with warm tears, and at first he thought they were just refracting the dim overhead light... But the sudden increase in illumination, the white hot warmth of it, made him pause. Quatre wiped his face hurriedly with the sleeve of his shirt, and looked up. A short, wild thought coursed through his mind; Iria--

When Quatre's eyes rose after his whispered plea, he was staring down the cold, black barrel of a gun.







According to Duo, we were going back to the shop to "thaw out". It actually made sense, which was quite unnerving because now I was beginning to think like him. But maybe that's not so bad....

Also according to Duo, Quatre had moaned over asking me about Iria. "He's really stressed... I haven't seen him smile or have fun since Iria died." Duo explained as he galloped along through the cool night. "And it's especially crazy since the police don't even have a suspect! Or any clues!" Duo shook his head in firm disbelief, and suddenly twirled around to match my stride. He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me as only he could-- enough so that I couldn't breathe.

That feeling of breathlessness was nice. Of being held by a very important, very beautiful person. My lips, stiff and chapped from the wind, stretched back comfortably. My teeth were exposed to the icy air, and I thought-- I'm smiling.

Duo discovered this as well. He screeched to a halt, stopping me as well with the uncanny strength of his will. With two stomping footsteps he placed himself in front of me, blocking the last block to the shop. His hands plastered themselves on my upper arms, warming me through the thin fabric of my shirt.

"Stop right there. You're actually smiling-- I never thought I'd live to see the day. Don't move-- I'm going to remember this forever, so I can say that my friend Heero Yuy actually does have facial expressions!" And he held me... I don't know how long. The cold became obsolete, because Duo was so close and comforting. Warm, hot, smiling greater than I was. I let the grin creasing my stony face to fall, not wanting to over use it. Duo allowed it, and I was faintly surprised that he didn't move away, so we could move on.

I was no longer cold. My feet were firm upon the ground, yet everything around me was spinning crazily, and slowing, preparing to stop... Duo leaned closer, his smile had vanished sometime ago. He moved his hands upward, and I found them soon supporting the back of my head.

Yes, the world had stopped. I was watching Duo from a tunnel, racing forward as he pressed his lips to mine, and kissed me.







"I've found the guilty party!" Dorothy belted confidently. She ignored the outraged protests of the Guardians, her superiors at worst. She was stepping way out of line; if the Guardian Judge chose to, he could have her dashed from the hall, perhaps put on probation for her misconduct.

But he won't, she thought, watching the lead Guardian as he sat calmly at the opposite end of the table. I've got something and he knows it.

"I saw him attack the fallen angel Relena Peacecraft; his own sister! He said himself that he is ready to confront the accused angel; possibly to destroy him before the truth can set him free. We can stop it--"

"Wait..." Dorothy froze at her superior Guardian's crafty voice. Wait?! She was surprised, nearly outraged--

"Why?" She managed to blurt out. She was over the line. She'd broken it, probably. No going back, after she'd questioned challenged and practically over taken a Guardian's order.

But the Judge merely shook his head, dismissing her demand. "You will wait. Watch him, and wait." The Guardian actually smiled, without humor, but a knowing smirk nonetheless.

"If you are what I believe you to be, angel, you'll know when the time to intervene arrives. Go."