Chapter seventeen- A Time to Choose
Duo carelessly tossed the duffle bag on the bed. He frowned, as he stalked towards his dresser, and yanked it open.
He grumbled under his breath, as he collected his things, and walked back to the duffle bag. He stuffed them roughly into the bag, and zipped the bag shut.
He paused briefly, before he dropped the bag, and turned around. He stopped, to see Heero standing in the doorway.
Duo's face darkened, and he narrowed his eyes. He snapped out, "What do you want?" If Heero was startled by the harsh words, he didn't show it.
Heero crossed his arms casually over his chest and eyed Duo. Duo sighed, and turned back around heading towards the bathroom.
Heero's eyes followed him closely, much like a hawk eyed its prey. "You don't have to do this, Duo."
Duo laughed, as he grabbed his toiletries, and walked back to his duffle bag. He sighed once again in irritation, and dropped the things on the bed. "You came all the way here to tell me that, wow Heero, I'm impressed."
Duo unzipped the bag, and stuffed the little things he would need.
"Why are you packing your things?"
Duo stopped, just as he was stuffing in a tampon into the duffle bag. Duo thanked the gods Heero couldn't see it. "So if I don't come back, you guys wont have to bother getting rid of my stuff."
Duo chucked the rest of his things into the bag. He zipped it up again, and turned around. "I'll take the mission Duo..." Duo shook his head, and raised a hand up, stopping Heero in mid sentence.
"You don't get it do you, Heero? No one cares if I go, so why shouldn't I? I mean you or the others didn't care how I felt dressing up as a girl. Dr. J didn't care how I felt about taking on a mission, and fucking up the lives you guys had created. Miss RELENA doesn't care if I die. So why shouldn't I go. There is nothing here for me, so why not?"
Heero frowned, "People care." Duo scoffed, throwing his hand hands up in the air. "Well that's a lot of bull shit if I ever heard any. Heero, Relena loves you to death, and would rather see me go out there than you. At least you have someone that wants you around. I didn't see anyone care how I felt about having to go to a ball in a dress. You have no idea how it is Heero. No idea what so ever. So what, you go on missions, you were made for it. I wasn't. I'm from a church. And the only reason why I took this job was to kill the sons of bitches that hurt the people I loved. And I did, OZ is gone. But I'm still here."
"Then leave."
Duo blinked, and frowned slightly at Heero. Slowly he shook his head, "No. I would never do that to you guys. Even if you don't care Heero, I'd take a bullet for you, and here I am, doing just about that."
Duo turned around, grabbed his duffle bag, and stalked towards Heero. He stopped in front of the slightly taller boy. "I have a mission Heero. And even if it takes my life, I will go. But I wont hurt them. I wont attack that base, because they are innocent people."
"People who could destroy us."
"Yes, but they haven't attacked Heero, we don't even know if they are the enemy, yet."
Heero nodded, and moved to the side. He waited till Duo was out of the room when he stated, "Don't get captured Duo. You know what will happen if you do."
Duo glanced at Heero, and nodded, "Yes I know, but I can't make promises Heero, because it seems that all the ones that I make break."
Duo then turned around, and stalked off down the hall.
Duo shifted in his seat, and groaned as his neck popped. He glanced out the window of the taxi and sighed jadedly.
He wouldn't attack them, so he wouldn't take weapons. It would make it harder, but much better. Duo lifted his head off the back of his seat, and stared out into the darkness.
There was nothing out there but clouds that seemed to roar with life, and threaten with a storm later. The moon was covered, and nothing shone through to light up the blackness.
Duo turned his gaze from the window and glanced down at his hands. They had formed into tight fists.
"We're almost there sir."
Duo glanced up, and then looked around. The cab pulled over to the right. Duo pulled out a fifty, and handed to the driver, "Keep the change, I wont need it."
Duo opened his door, and climbed out. He looked around, and he stuffed a hand into his pocket. "Hey buddy, if you would, could you take this back to the academy, and give it to a lady named Noin. Tell her it's for Heero, from Duo." Duo held out a note, and a hundred dollar bill. "You can have the hundred."
The driver softly smiled, "Yea I can do that for ya. Just be careful all right. And watch out for soldiers, I hear they shoot at anything that moves." Duo smiled gratefully, and gave the man the note and money. Duo grabbed his bag, and slung it over his shoulder.
Duo slammed the door shut, and he watched the cab pull out and do a u-turn, and head back to the Cinq kingdom. Duo waved, before he turned around and opened his bag.
The cab pulled over to the side of the road, parking in front of the steps that led to the academy. The driver climbed out, and sighed. He pocketed the money Duo had given him, and glanced up at the academy. 'I give it to Noin, who will give it to Hero.'
"State your purpose here."
The cab driver stopped climbing the stairs, and looked at the trees and shrubs to his right. "Uh I have a note. Um, I'm supposed to give it to Noin, who is to give it to Hero. It's from a Duo."
A hand reached out, "Hn." The driver shrugged, "I got it here." He gave to the note to the man hidden in the shadows, turned and jogged back down the stairs.
He rushed to the driver side, and slipped into the seat and slammed the door. He gunned the engine, and sped off down the road.
Heero stepped out of the shadows, and eyed the letter suspiciously. He sniffed at it, and gently shook it then felt around for anything inside.
With a casual glance, he ripped open the top, and carefully slid the thin piece of paper folded out.
Duo pulled the black mask over his face. He sighed, and glanced around him. The coast was clear. Duo left his bag in the ditch, not to worried if it gets taken. He slipped into the shadows, and made his way to the base.
Duo paused on the inner skirt of the trees, where he could see the wall of the base, and a guard patrolling it. Duo pulled out his silencer, and loaded it carefully. He didn't have much ammo, but it would have to do.
Duo glanced around, and waited till the guard walked by. Duo shot from the trees, and raced across the ground, hunched over, and hidden in the dark, he made it to the wall. He held still, and waited. The guard went around the corner. Duo inched his way to the door, and tried the knob. It didn't move.
He gritted his teeth, and pulled out a lock pick from his pocket. He knelt down, and worked on the knob. He heard footsteps, and a drop of sweat beaded down his forehead. The lock clicked, and Duo turned the knob pushing the door open as he did so. He slipped inside, and shut the door, with barely a click.
He heard the guard walk by, and he sighed. Duo locked the door, so he wouldn't arouse suspicion.
Duo crouched down, and pulled out a smoke bomb from his thick mass of hair, and stuck it to the wall. He punched in a few buttons, and it beeped quietly. Duo put the detonator into his pocket, and continued on down the hall.
At the end of the hall, he pressed himself against the wall. Two soldiers passed by talking. He eyed them carefully. A few seconds later, Duo checked the hall, before he slipped out into the light, and ducked into a bunkroom. One of the soldiers was fast asleep. Duo searched around, and found a uniform. Duo lifted his gun, and shot the sleeping man. A needle hit him into the arm, but he never tried to get up.
When Duo was sure he was harmless, he shed off his clothes, and dressed into the black loose fitting pants, and a scarlet red over coat. Duo left on his black tank top, but had taken off his sweatshirt.
He buttoned the coat, and left the last button undone, and folded over the collar. Duo sighed, and tried to figure what he should do with his hair. He couldn't cut it, so Duo pulled out the pink pen, and whispered, "Make my hair look short, to the enemies eye."
There was a brief flash, and Duo placed his hat on his head. He slipped the gun in the back waistband of his pants, and covered it with his coat. He slipped on the boots, before he moved to the door, and slipped out of the room.
Heero unfolded the letter, and sat down on the steps, and narrowed his eyes at the first line.
Dear Heero,
Hey, if you're reading this, then I must either be dead, or capture by now. Not such a good thought, but hey we all knew it would happen one day. Don't worry buddy, I wont ever blame you, so if I come back as a ghost I wont haunt you.
Well I just wanted to say thanks for everything Heero. You were the bestest friend a guy could have. Even though you pulled a gun on me several times... But hey that's your nature, and we all do what we are used to doing. You may not think of me as a friend, but you were mine. I just wanted to say goodbye. I know that I can't say it in person, so I thought a letter would have to do..."
Duo walked down the hall easily. He glanced left then right, waiting for a soldier to question him.
He made it to the computer room. He walked passed it, and was glad he did. The door swung open, and two scientists left the room. They were talking as they did so. He turned, and watched the scientists turn the corner.
Duo walked back to the door, and pulled out a small computer. He took out two wires, and connected them to the password lock.
He clicked several keys, as he scanned the numbers and letters that flew passed the screen.
A minute later, the letters stopped, and the lock beeped. Duo pocketed the computer, and opened the door carefully. He slipped inside shutting the door, but left it ajar.
Duo rushed to the computers, and seated himself into the chair. He clicked away on the keyboard, and used the mouse to select certain folders. He slipped the empty disc into the slot. And clicked on a top-secret file.
He scanned the contents before copying them, and pasting them into his disc. He did the same with a few other folders. His fingers flew over the keys clicking away.
Her never heard the person enter the room. Or never heard the footsteps as the person walked up behind him. He never felt the air shift, as the person raise his weapon. The only thing he felt was the exploding pain in the back of his head. And heard the popping sound as it made contact with his shoulder blade.
Duo slumped into his chair, and didn't get up.
"Just in case you do come for me Heero, which I know you will, so you can get the information, don't save me. That is if I'm alive. Just get the information and go. I don't want you to get hurt, because you tried to save me. I want to die knowing that you and the others will be all right. But I know I don't have to worry, because you wont save me, you'll finish me off, before they get me to talk, which is smart.
I just got a few more things I have to say. I had a fun time, when we went out, even though we were supposed to act gay. But that's beside the point. I had fun, and had hoped you would too, so that's why I got drunk that night. Because I knew, I had wasted your time..."
Duo grunted, and spat out blood. His head rolled to the side, and he groaned. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. "Tell us who sent you!"
Duo groaned again, and looked down into his lap. He could see blood soaking the uniform, where they had sliced at him with a knife.
"No one."
A fist shot out, and hit him in the stomach. Duo cried out, and his knees gave out. He hung by his wrists, that were bounded by chains that held him against a stonewall.
"Tell us the truth! Who sent you, and for what!"
Duo smirked, "the pizza place on spruce. Who ordered the pepperoni with olives..."
Duo grunted, as a blade sliced his skin again. "He's not talking."
Duo ran his tongue along his lips, and tasted his blood. He gagged, and spat out a mouth full of it. He groaned again, as his head rolled.
"Bastered!"
Duo's eyes went large, as he was hit three times in the ribs, and the kicked on the side of the head. He never felt the pain, because before he could, his world went dark.
"And also, when we went to that ball thing with Relena... well I had a great time, when we danced. I know I said nasty things, but I was hurt. But I guess I deserved being treated like I had been. I did make you go as a gay guy to a café, and also wasted your time. I'm pretty good at that aren't I? Well I'm sorry I got upset with you, and I deserve the hatred you showed towards me the next day.
I had been drinking again, which isn't good, I never drink. But I did, and I upset you. But it's funny, because I was drinking, because I was upset with you. Oh well too late now..."
The door to a cell was thrown open, and a figure was tossed carelessly into the tiny cubical. His body hit the floor and rolled.
Duo groaned, and was too weak to move. His body refused to move, from the twisted position he landed in. But he didn't mind, he couldn't even feel the pain anymore.
Duo felt his body roll, and he landed on his side, with his back to the cell door. The room swam before his eyes, and he was unable to make out anything distinctive. He sighed, rough air blowing over his swollen lip that began to sting.
His mind wandered to Heero. 'Don't come Hee man. Stay there, don't come here...Hee chan...'
Duo's eyes closed, and he fell into a deep sleep.
"I wanted to say thank you, for saving me from that guy. He would have rapped me, and that was scary. I don't think I had ever been so scared in my life. But thanks to you it never happened. So I am forever in your dept. And that is why I took the mission Heero. You saved my life, now I will save yours. I owe you at lets that much, if not more.
It's time; we are almost there to the base. So long, my friend. Take care of you life, and live it to the fullest, it's the only one you will ever get. Life is so precious.
Yours truly
Duo."
Heero looked up from the letter. He scowled, and dropped it. Without a single thought, he raced to where he had hidden his gundam for the past year.
Duo opened his eyes again, for what seemed to be the fifth time in the same hour. Each time he fell asleep he would just wake up again.
Duo forced himself onto his back, and groaned. He could feel the broken ribs, the bruises, and stinging cuts, but the real pain still had yet to hit him. Duo raised his hands, cuffed together and bruised. He touched his forehead, and felt the swelling pain of yet another cut.
The enemy always knew how to get a man to talk, but Duo still took it all on. He would never rat out his friends. He would never think that his life was more important than his friends. Most men would cave, but Duo hadn't, and he knew he boss would have been proud, sort of.
He boss would have done the opposite and would have told him to do the same.
Duo sighed, and winced from the aching pain in his chest. It was like a ton of bricks had settled themselves on his chest.
Duo let his head roll to the side, so he could see the door. He could hear the faint sound of rough housing out side his door, but he just turned his gaze away. Instead he stared up at the ceiling, and let his gaze slowly blur together.
He barely heard the cell door open, and sound of footsteps entering the cell. 'Yea make them come to me. I'm in no hurry to go anywhere.'
He heard the sound of a gun being emptied, and then reloaded with new ammo. Then the gun cocked, and the footsteps stopped.
Duo stared up into the blurry face of his friend. "Hey Heero." There was no remorse, no emotion that lingered in the dark eyes. His face placid as a like stayed calm. The gun rose, and aimed directly at Duo's head, right between the eyes. "Good-Bye Duo."
Duo softly nodded, and let his eyes close gently, his lashes brushing his cheeks. His fists tightened, and he waited for the tiny blow. There was a soft click, and then a rustle.
Duo opened his eyes, and looked up at Heero. Heero had shut his eyes as well, and his gun had been disarmed. "Damn you." Duo's eyes widened with surprise.
Heero swiftly tucked his gun away, and bent down at the waist. Duo struggled, and slightly fought Heero off. The taller boy easily lifted him up in his arms; "Lets get you out of here."
"Heer...Heero."
Heero shook his head, and stepped out into the hall. He stalked down the hall, and seemed to go unnoticed by the other soldiers, except one.
"Hey, what are you doing? And what the hell happened to him?"
Heero frowned, but turned to the soldier who walked towards them. "A prisoner escaped, and beat the hell out of him. I'm taking him to the ER immediately."
The soldier nodded, "Right, I'll sound the alarm." Heero nodded, and continued down the hall. Duo could barely move in Heero's arms, and was unable to be any help if he was needed.
Heero kicked open the back door, and it fell off the hinges, and slapped the wall behind it when it swung open. Heero walked out, and headed for the trees.
There were shouts, several meters away, and were no threat to them. A mile from the base, Heero walked into a clearing. The clearing consisted of a canyon, and a waterfall falling from the river on the other side. But inside the canyon, was Wing 0, hidden well with debris, and netting.
The next thing Duo knew was that he saw the inside of Wing 0. His eyes moved over the console, and searched around the seat, and screen.
Heero pulled him onto his lap, and rested his head against the wall to the right. Heero had his arms around Duo's waist, so he could reach the keys, and switches.
It wasn't until Heero began clicking away with one hand, while the other flipped the red switches, and one blue, when Duo asked, "Why?"
Heero's brows furrowed together as if in thought. Staying like that, he replied, "You're still needed." That's when the Gundam roared to life, and the screen flickered on. A scanner skimmed over the land nearby, searching for any threats. Once satisfied by his surroundings, Heero gripped the gears in his hands, and shifted them.
The gundam finally came to life, after a year of waiting.
Duo carelessly tossed the duffle bag on the bed. He frowned, as he stalked towards his dresser, and yanked it open.
He grumbled under his breath, as he collected his things, and walked back to the duffle bag. He stuffed them roughly into the bag, and zipped the bag shut.
He paused briefly, before he dropped the bag, and turned around. He stopped, to see Heero standing in the doorway.
Duo's face darkened, and he narrowed his eyes. He snapped out, "What do you want?" If Heero was startled by the harsh words, he didn't show it.
Heero crossed his arms casually over his chest and eyed Duo. Duo sighed, and turned back around heading towards the bathroom.
Heero's eyes followed him closely, much like a hawk eyed its prey. "You don't have to do this, Duo."
Duo laughed, as he grabbed his toiletries, and walked back to his duffle bag. He sighed once again in irritation, and dropped the things on the bed. "You came all the way here to tell me that, wow Heero, I'm impressed."
Duo unzipped the bag, and stuffed the little things he would need.
"Why are you packing your things?"
Duo stopped, just as he was stuffing in a tampon into the duffle bag. Duo thanked the gods Heero couldn't see it. "So if I don't come back, you guys wont have to bother getting rid of my stuff."
Duo chucked the rest of his things into the bag. He zipped it up again, and turned around. "I'll take the mission Duo..." Duo shook his head, and raised a hand up, stopping Heero in mid sentence.
"You don't get it do you, Heero? No one cares if I go, so why shouldn't I? I mean you or the others didn't care how I felt dressing up as a girl. Dr. J didn't care how I felt about taking on a mission, and fucking up the lives you guys had created. Miss RELENA doesn't care if I die. So why shouldn't I go. There is nothing here for me, so why not?"
Heero frowned, "People care." Duo scoffed, throwing his hand hands up in the air. "Well that's a lot of bull shit if I ever heard any. Heero, Relena loves you to death, and would rather see me go out there than you. At least you have someone that wants you around. I didn't see anyone care how I felt about having to go to a ball in a dress. You have no idea how it is Heero. No idea what so ever. So what, you go on missions, you were made for it. I wasn't. I'm from a church. And the only reason why I took this job was to kill the sons of bitches that hurt the people I loved. And I did, OZ is gone. But I'm still here."
"Then leave."
Duo blinked, and frowned slightly at Heero. Slowly he shook his head, "No. I would never do that to you guys. Even if you don't care Heero, I'd take a bullet for you, and here I am, doing just about that."
Duo turned around, grabbed his duffle bag, and stalked towards Heero. He stopped in front of the slightly taller boy. "I have a mission Heero. And even if it takes my life, I will go. But I wont hurt them. I wont attack that base, because they are innocent people."
"People who could destroy us."
"Yes, but they haven't attacked Heero, we don't even know if they are the enemy, yet."
Heero nodded, and moved to the side. He waited till Duo was out of the room when he stated, "Don't get captured Duo. You know what will happen if you do."
Duo glanced at Heero, and nodded, "Yes I know, but I can't make promises Heero, because it seems that all the ones that I make break."
Duo then turned around, and stalked off down the hall.
Duo shifted in his seat, and groaned as his neck popped. He glanced out the window of the taxi and sighed jadedly.
He wouldn't attack them, so he wouldn't take weapons. It would make it harder, but much better. Duo lifted his head off the back of his seat, and stared out into the darkness.
There was nothing out there but clouds that seemed to roar with life, and threaten with a storm later. The moon was covered, and nothing shone through to light up the blackness.
Duo turned his gaze from the window and glanced down at his hands. They had formed into tight fists.
"We're almost there sir."
Duo glanced up, and then looked around. The cab pulled over to the right. Duo pulled out a fifty, and handed to the driver, "Keep the change, I wont need it."
Duo opened his door, and climbed out. He looked around, and he stuffed a hand into his pocket. "Hey buddy, if you would, could you take this back to the academy, and give it to a lady named Noin. Tell her it's for Heero, from Duo." Duo held out a note, and a hundred dollar bill. "You can have the hundred."
The driver softly smiled, "Yea I can do that for ya. Just be careful all right. And watch out for soldiers, I hear they shoot at anything that moves." Duo smiled gratefully, and gave the man the note and money. Duo grabbed his bag, and slung it over his shoulder.
Duo slammed the door shut, and he watched the cab pull out and do a u-turn, and head back to the Cinq kingdom. Duo waved, before he turned around and opened his bag.
The cab pulled over to the side of the road, parking in front of the steps that led to the academy. The driver climbed out, and sighed. He pocketed the money Duo had given him, and glanced up at the academy. 'I give it to Noin, who will give it to Hero.'
"State your purpose here."
The cab driver stopped climbing the stairs, and looked at the trees and shrubs to his right. "Uh I have a note. Um, I'm supposed to give it to Noin, who is to give it to Hero. It's from a Duo."
A hand reached out, "Hn." The driver shrugged, "I got it here." He gave to the note to the man hidden in the shadows, turned and jogged back down the stairs.
He rushed to the driver side, and slipped into the seat and slammed the door. He gunned the engine, and sped off down the road.
Heero stepped out of the shadows, and eyed the letter suspiciously. He sniffed at it, and gently shook it then felt around for anything inside.
With a casual glance, he ripped open the top, and carefully slid the thin piece of paper folded out.
Duo pulled the black mask over his face. He sighed, and glanced around him. The coast was clear. Duo left his bag in the ditch, not to worried if it gets taken. He slipped into the shadows, and made his way to the base.
Duo paused on the inner skirt of the trees, where he could see the wall of the base, and a guard patrolling it. Duo pulled out his silencer, and loaded it carefully. He didn't have much ammo, but it would have to do.
Duo glanced around, and waited till the guard walked by. Duo shot from the trees, and raced across the ground, hunched over, and hidden in the dark, he made it to the wall. He held still, and waited. The guard went around the corner. Duo inched his way to the door, and tried the knob. It didn't move.
He gritted his teeth, and pulled out a lock pick from his pocket. He knelt down, and worked on the knob. He heard footsteps, and a drop of sweat beaded down his forehead. The lock clicked, and Duo turned the knob pushing the door open as he did so. He slipped inside, and shut the door, with barely a click.
He heard the guard walk by, and he sighed. Duo locked the door, so he wouldn't arouse suspicion.
Duo crouched down, and pulled out a smoke bomb from his thick mass of hair, and stuck it to the wall. He punched in a few buttons, and it beeped quietly. Duo put the detonator into his pocket, and continued on down the hall.
At the end of the hall, he pressed himself against the wall. Two soldiers passed by talking. He eyed them carefully. A few seconds later, Duo checked the hall, before he slipped out into the light, and ducked into a bunkroom. One of the soldiers was fast asleep. Duo searched around, and found a uniform. Duo lifted his gun, and shot the sleeping man. A needle hit him into the arm, but he never tried to get up.
When Duo was sure he was harmless, he shed off his clothes, and dressed into the black loose fitting pants, and a scarlet red over coat. Duo left on his black tank top, but had taken off his sweatshirt.
He buttoned the coat, and left the last button undone, and folded over the collar. Duo sighed, and tried to figure what he should do with his hair. He couldn't cut it, so Duo pulled out the pink pen, and whispered, "Make my hair look short, to the enemies eye."
There was a brief flash, and Duo placed his hat on his head. He slipped the gun in the back waistband of his pants, and covered it with his coat. He slipped on the boots, before he moved to the door, and slipped out of the room.
Heero unfolded the letter, and sat down on the steps, and narrowed his eyes at the first line.
Dear Heero,
Hey, if you're reading this, then I must either be dead, or capture by now. Not such a good thought, but hey we all knew it would happen one day. Don't worry buddy, I wont ever blame you, so if I come back as a ghost I wont haunt you.
Well I just wanted to say thanks for everything Heero. You were the bestest friend a guy could have. Even though you pulled a gun on me several times... But hey that's your nature, and we all do what we are used to doing. You may not think of me as a friend, but you were mine. I just wanted to say goodbye. I know that I can't say it in person, so I thought a letter would have to do..."
Duo walked down the hall easily. He glanced left then right, waiting for a soldier to question him.
He made it to the computer room. He walked passed it, and was glad he did. The door swung open, and two scientists left the room. They were talking as they did so. He turned, and watched the scientists turn the corner.
Duo walked back to the door, and pulled out a small computer. He took out two wires, and connected them to the password lock.
He clicked several keys, as he scanned the numbers and letters that flew passed the screen.
A minute later, the letters stopped, and the lock beeped. Duo pocketed the computer, and opened the door carefully. He slipped inside shutting the door, but left it ajar.
Duo rushed to the computers, and seated himself into the chair. He clicked away on the keyboard, and used the mouse to select certain folders. He slipped the empty disc into the slot. And clicked on a top-secret file.
He scanned the contents before copying them, and pasting them into his disc. He did the same with a few other folders. His fingers flew over the keys clicking away.
Her never heard the person enter the room. Or never heard the footsteps as the person walked up behind him. He never felt the air shift, as the person raise his weapon. The only thing he felt was the exploding pain in the back of his head. And heard the popping sound as it made contact with his shoulder blade.
Duo slumped into his chair, and didn't get up.
"Just in case you do come for me Heero, which I know you will, so you can get the information, don't save me. That is if I'm alive. Just get the information and go. I don't want you to get hurt, because you tried to save me. I want to die knowing that you and the others will be all right. But I know I don't have to worry, because you wont save me, you'll finish me off, before they get me to talk, which is smart.
I just got a few more things I have to say. I had a fun time, when we went out, even though we were supposed to act gay. But that's beside the point. I had fun, and had hoped you would too, so that's why I got drunk that night. Because I knew, I had wasted your time..."
Duo grunted, and spat out blood. His head rolled to the side, and he groaned. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. "Tell us who sent you!"
Duo groaned again, and looked down into his lap. He could see blood soaking the uniform, where they had sliced at him with a knife.
"No one."
A fist shot out, and hit him in the stomach. Duo cried out, and his knees gave out. He hung by his wrists, that were bounded by chains that held him against a stonewall.
"Tell us the truth! Who sent you, and for what!"
Duo smirked, "the pizza place on spruce. Who ordered the pepperoni with olives..."
Duo grunted, as a blade sliced his skin again. "He's not talking."
Duo ran his tongue along his lips, and tasted his blood. He gagged, and spat out a mouth full of it. He groaned again, as his head rolled.
"Bastered!"
Duo's eyes went large, as he was hit three times in the ribs, and the kicked on the side of the head. He never felt the pain, because before he could, his world went dark.
"And also, when we went to that ball thing with Relena... well I had a great time, when we danced. I know I said nasty things, but I was hurt. But I guess I deserved being treated like I had been. I did make you go as a gay guy to a café, and also wasted your time. I'm pretty good at that aren't I? Well I'm sorry I got upset with you, and I deserve the hatred you showed towards me the next day.
I had been drinking again, which isn't good, I never drink. But I did, and I upset you. But it's funny, because I was drinking, because I was upset with you. Oh well too late now..."
The door to a cell was thrown open, and a figure was tossed carelessly into the tiny cubical. His body hit the floor and rolled.
Duo groaned, and was too weak to move. His body refused to move, from the twisted position he landed in. But he didn't mind, he couldn't even feel the pain anymore.
Duo felt his body roll, and he landed on his side, with his back to the cell door. The room swam before his eyes, and he was unable to make out anything distinctive. He sighed, rough air blowing over his swollen lip that began to sting.
His mind wandered to Heero. 'Don't come Hee man. Stay there, don't come here...Hee chan...'
Duo's eyes closed, and he fell into a deep sleep.
"I wanted to say thank you, for saving me from that guy. He would have rapped me, and that was scary. I don't think I had ever been so scared in my life. But thanks to you it never happened. So I am forever in your dept. And that is why I took the mission Heero. You saved my life, now I will save yours. I owe you at lets that much, if not more.
It's time; we are almost there to the base. So long, my friend. Take care of you life, and live it to the fullest, it's the only one you will ever get. Life is so precious.
Yours truly
Duo."
Heero looked up from the letter. He scowled, and dropped it. Without a single thought, he raced to where he had hidden his gundam for the past year.
Duo opened his eyes again, for what seemed to be the fifth time in the same hour. Each time he fell asleep he would just wake up again.
Duo forced himself onto his back, and groaned. He could feel the broken ribs, the bruises, and stinging cuts, but the real pain still had yet to hit him. Duo raised his hands, cuffed together and bruised. He touched his forehead, and felt the swelling pain of yet another cut.
The enemy always knew how to get a man to talk, but Duo still took it all on. He would never rat out his friends. He would never think that his life was more important than his friends. Most men would cave, but Duo hadn't, and he knew he boss would have been proud, sort of.
He boss would have done the opposite and would have told him to do the same.
Duo sighed, and winced from the aching pain in his chest. It was like a ton of bricks had settled themselves on his chest.
Duo let his head roll to the side, so he could see the door. He could hear the faint sound of rough housing out side his door, but he just turned his gaze away. Instead he stared up at the ceiling, and let his gaze slowly blur together.
He barely heard the cell door open, and sound of footsteps entering the cell. 'Yea make them come to me. I'm in no hurry to go anywhere.'
He heard the sound of a gun being emptied, and then reloaded with new ammo. Then the gun cocked, and the footsteps stopped.
Duo stared up into the blurry face of his friend. "Hey Heero." There was no remorse, no emotion that lingered in the dark eyes. His face placid as a like stayed calm. The gun rose, and aimed directly at Duo's head, right between the eyes. "Good-Bye Duo."
Duo softly nodded, and let his eyes close gently, his lashes brushing his cheeks. His fists tightened, and he waited for the tiny blow. There was a soft click, and then a rustle.
Duo opened his eyes, and looked up at Heero. Heero had shut his eyes as well, and his gun had been disarmed. "Damn you." Duo's eyes widened with surprise.
Heero swiftly tucked his gun away, and bent down at the waist. Duo struggled, and slightly fought Heero off. The taller boy easily lifted him up in his arms; "Lets get you out of here."
"Heer...Heero."
Heero shook his head, and stepped out into the hall. He stalked down the hall, and seemed to go unnoticed by the other soldiers, except one.
"Hey, what are you doing? And what the hell happened to him?"
Heero frowned, but turned to the soldier who walked towards them. "A prisoner escaped, and beat the hell out of him. I'm taking him to the ER immediately."
The soldier nodded, "Right, I'll sound the alarm." Heero nodded, and continued down the hall. Duo could barely move in Heero's arms, and was unable to be any help if he was needed.
Heero kicked open the back door, and it fell off the hinges, and slapped the wall behind it when it swung open. Heero walked out, and headed for the trees.
There were shouts, several meters away, and were no threat to them. A mile from the base, Heero walked into a clearing. The clearing consisted of a canyon, and a waterfall falling from the river on the other side. But inside the canyon, was Wing 0, hidden well with debris, and netting.
The next thing Duo knew was that he saw the inside of Wing 0. His eyes moved over the console, and searched around the seat, and screen.
Heero pulled him onto his lap, and rested his head against the wall to the right. Heero had his arms around Duo's waist, so he could reach the keys, and switches.
It wasn't until Heero began clicking away with one hand, while the other flipped the red switches, and one blue, when Duo asked, "Why?"
Heero's brows furrowed together as if in thought. Staying like that, he replied, "You're still needed." That's when the Gundam roared to life, and the screen flickered on. A scanner skimmed over the land nearby, searching for any threats. Once satisfied by his surroundings, Heero gripped the gears in his hands, and shifted them.
The gundam finally came to life, after a year of waiting.