Author's Notes: I'm here! Shin's Voice is trying to update as fast as
possible. Well, it's time to get someone back, right? Lets find out what
did really happen here and how are we gonna fix this mess up…
"Of Good-byes And Returns"
Chapter Four-Finale!
"I'm not letting you go away" –Heero murmured.
But when Heero reached the top of the hill, what he found was the silhouette standing there. Heero froze in his place…it seemed like the shadow was waiting for something, or someone.
'I've found you…' –Heero thought, taking a deep breath.
Some noises were heard behind them and when 01 turned, he saw Havoc running towards them, a gun in his hand.
'Darn it' –Heero pressed his lips at the enemy's sight. He looked back to the shadow once again, but he discovered that he was running away from them, reaching the enemy's lines.
'What the Hell are you doing, Duo?' –Heero muttered, running after him- 'Maybe Duo has also discovered that Havoc is trying to kill him…'
"Wait! Stop! It's a trap! The Ozies are too close " –Havoc yelled from behind.
Heero knew that, but he kept running, holding his gun firmly, without caring about the other's words.
"Shoot the spy!" –the mercenary said out loud.
'Then I'll have to turn around and shoot you' –Heero thought sharply- 'But I have to save Duo first' –he concluded.
The figure finally halted and turned to face Heero. The Japanese pilot also stopped, looking expectantly.
"Duo?" –he murmured.
"Time's out" –the silhouette suddenly said, lifting his hand.
"He has a gun!"-the mercenary shouted getting closer.
Heero turned to see Havoc and then turned back to the shadow, confused, but he was fast enough to elude the shot aimed directly to him. He jumped back and also lifted his gun.
When he fixed his blue eyes over the silhouette, he was surprised. The shadow had retrieved the hood hiding his face. Heero couldn't believe it….
'And who in the entire Hell is this guy?!' –he thought angrily.
Standing in front of him was a youth of medium black hair, smirking while he aimed his gun towards 01.
"Allow me to introduce myself before killing you, Gundam Pilot. I am Oz's cadet and infiltration spy A. Zebdeck. I'm pleased to see you have followed me into my little ambush" –the soldier said as he pointed to the 3 or 4 snipers standing close by.
Sudden shots cut the air from behind and the snipers were shot down one by one with perfect accuracy.
"Damn it!" –the spy cried out as he and Heero looked back.
"Move! He's gonna shoot you!" –Havoc warned still running towards them, but the OZ's cadet aimed and fired against Heero in that same second.
The bullet hit Havoc's left upper arm because he had thrown himself, getting Heero out of the bullet's trajectory. They both rolled over the ground for a few seconds.
Heero reacted at last and jumping to his feet, he fired. The spy fell down, definitely.
"I told you it was a trap…." –Havoc complained, sitting up- "You should learn to listen, buddy boy" –he mumbled, pressing his wounded arm.
'Duo?'- Heero exclaimed in his mind, coming out from his stupor.
Rick and some other officers arrived then, eliminating the remaining snipers.
'What in space are those two doing?' –Rick scratched his head as he saw Havoc getting up and Heero stepping in front of the mercenary.
Very much as abruptly, Heero snatched both dark glasses and black beret from Havoc's face, revealing then the sparkling amethyst eyes and the locks of chestnut hair falling over his forehead.
"So…aren't ya gonna say hello? –Havoc smiled happily. A smile Heero hadn't seen in almost 5 weeks.
But instead of smiling or being happy, Heero was…furious. He landed a solid punch right into Duo's face, sending him to the ground again.
"Hey! What's going on here?" –Rick tried to stop them when he saw the movement, but it wasn't necessary.
Heero himself reached his hand out, helping Duo to come to his feet again.
"What a way to say hello…" –Duo slightly protested as he rubbed his sore jaw.
"Damn, Duo! What the Hell were you doing all this time? What is going on here?!" –Heero practically yelled in the other's face.
Duo blinked twice. Heero indeed seemed furious. And he was using his 'Hell' terms! And after being so much time fighting and living together with all the team, Duo had learnt that one of Heero's ways to hide his concern was through anger.
"Were you worried about me?" –Duo asked teasingly.
"Hey you two, what's happening here?" –Rick asked coming to stand close to them.
The dull sound of the Dolls flying above them interrupted the conversation, but another sound was immediately heard, as Sandrock, Heavyarms and Shenlong appeared, starting to fight.
"It's time to get working. Lets go for the Gundams…" –Heero said and he and Duo started running towards the hangar.
"And where are you going, Havoc?" –Rick yelled.
"Oh, well, I….err…."
"Your cover is over anyway. Tell the truth and hurry up" –Heero said impatiently.
"What are you talking about?" –Rick asked, trying to understand things there.
"Fine- Duo shrugged- You'll see, commander, my name is not Havoc and I'm not a mercenary either…My name is Duo, Duo Maxwell…"-the American smiled, pleased to use his usual introduction- "…and I am pilot 02 of Gundam DeathScythe Hell…"
"Enough. Lets get moving" –Heero pulled him from the arm.
"What? Gundam Pilot? You're… comrades…?!" –Rick replied perplexed.
"Sure thing. We're buddies, right pal?" –Duo laughed, happy to have someone like Heero to tease again.
"Whatever" –Heero grunted- "Just hurry"- he added as the two made his way to the place.
As Heero had supposed, their own ship was there as well as Wing Zero. Duo stood there, amazed at the sight of his dear DeathScythe.
"Wow! Awesome! You look damn cool, Shinigami, like brand-new! Did you repair it? –he asked Heero, his eyes bright.
"I supposed we could find another pilot better than you" –Heero cynically lied with his seriousness.
"Sure! And I'm Cinderella!" –Duo chirped, understanding Heero's attempt to hide the truth- "Well, lets go back to my favorite hobby!" –Duo said, getting ready to climb to the cockpit.
But he stopped when he felt Heero holding him back by his arm.
"What?" –he asked, and then he saw Heero taking something from his jeans pocket and handing it to him.
"Here, take it. You say it gives you good luck, right?" –the blue-eyed boy said, putting the silver cross on Duo's hand.
Duo looked at the cross with disbelief. He had thought he'd never seen it again! It meant a lot for him and now, he had it back. Then he turned to see Heero. He…he had kept it for him…
"Thanks" –Duo murmured, his voice shivering.
"Lets go" –Heero frowned, entering his Gundam.
When they reached space, Quatre was the first one to protest when they saw DeathScythe there.
"I found a replacement pilot. He may be useful to us…"-Heero explained when the others asked.
"But…but, Heero…that's Duo's Gundam! How can you allow someone else pilots it?! If you were the most affected with this!" –Quatre complained.
A brief laughter could be heard from the 02's cockpit.
"Shut up, 04" –Heero said annoyed- "Now lets get to the mission"
The battle lasted almost an hour, but everything went out fine. The Dolls were destroyed completely and OZ was forced to retreat, totally defeated. Victory for the rebels.
When the Gundams landed into the hangar, everyone jumped out from the cockpits to see the 'replacement', who was the last one in getting out.
"Hi there, guys, it's good to see ya again!" –Duo said, making his spectacular entrance.
There was a moment of silence, but then all burst out into comments and they got closer, greeting him.
"I must admit it was suspicious to see someone piloting DeathScythe as well as you" –Wufei said in greeting voice, thought he couldn't help to feel relief to see Duo.
"Welcome back, Duo, we're happy you're fine" –Trowa said, smiling slightly, but his eyes showed his interior happiness.
"We've missed you so much…we're just grateful you're back…"-Quatre, always the kind heart, said, hugging him briefly.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can tell you've missed me, huh? That isn't strange because I always knew that…" –Duo started rambling as usual.
"Oh no, lets say good-bye to peace and quiet…"-Wufei sadly protested.
---------------------------------------------0------------------------------ ------------------
They stayed there that night, but they'll be leaving next day. Rick tried to convince Duo to stay because even though war against OZ was over, they could use his help.
But Duo, still called 'Havoc' by the rebels, refused politely. He was, after all, a Gundam Pilot and, as a Gundam Pilot he had to return with the others after accomplishing his mission.
"So, it was a mission" –Heero said, sitting beside the platform were Duo was working.
"Yeah. And I think someone here has taught me to take the missions very seriously" –Duo smirked as he checked the systems of his beloved DeathScythe.
Heero was trying to understand all that fuzz, not finding logic in it. But, thinking it twice, it made sense. Heero had imagined Havoc was a spy when he saw the Internet connection and the way the mercenary discovered the Oz's hidden communicator, but he now reasoned that Havoc, being Duo, was able to do such things. 'I was indeed blind' –Heero mused to himself.
"But, did this mission have something to do with the incident of that gundanium cannon?" –Heero asked, still confused as Duo tried to explain that messy situation.
"Nope, nothing. The mission was given to me when I was already here, after Shinigami's explosion…"
"How did you escaped from that?" –Heero asked in low voice.
"To be honest, I don't know. I guess as was lucky, but I'm not sure. Sometimes I think that our Gundams protect us, ya know? Maybe it's just my imagination, but I think DeathScythe closed the cockpit hermetically until it hit ground and then the right shield protected me to get out of the cockpit before it exploded. As I was bleeding and in bad shape, the only thing I could do was to walk away from the fire as much as possible. I think I passed out then. When I woke up, I was in this rebel's ship towards here. I contacted Preventors and, wow! What I surprise to read that I was reported as 'missed in battle'. So they gave me this mission incognito and I was prohibited to communicate with you, guys. The fact I was dead was important for the fake personality, so I cam here as the mercenary Havoc…" Duo explained, shutting down the systems and getting out from the cockpit.
"The name fitted you well" –Heero commented- "And I must admit you did a decent job with the personality change. Havoc was like…"-Heero thought for a second.
"Like you!" –Duo laughed- "I was kind of worried when I saw you here. I thought you would discover me immediately, so I tried to act like anything but Duo. Mercenary, soldier, antisocial guy…I deserve an Academy Award!" –Duo boasted.
"Hn. I was too busy and concentrated in my mission. I didn't have time to lose thinking about you or anything else…"-Heero lied, frowning and folding arms- "Besides, as you weren't all clad in black and that ridiculous braid of yours was hidden under the duster, no one could have recognized you" –Heero defended himself.
Duo laughed inwardly. Heero was trying hard to deny it, but, man! Duo saw the expression of his friend's face when he finally found him. He understood Heero and his way to neglect his feelings. But it felt good to have people worried about you.
"Well, I'm back at work, so don't scowl me anymore. Be nice. They were just little white lies…" -Duo said, cleaning his hands with a piece of fabric- "Sorry if I caused any problem…"
Heero nodded his head in disagreement. He was the one supposed to apologize.
"No. It's me who has the duty to…" –Heero started slowly.
Duo raised his eyebrows surprised. Heero was apologizing? To him?
"Hey, hold it there, man" –Duo said lifting his hand in order to hush Heero- "No need for those things. Forget about the apologies, ok?"
"No, it's necessary. I wouldn't be a good soldier if I don't accept my mistakes…" –Heero replied seriously.
"Come on! Just never mind it. You're not perfect even if we call you that. Don't get all stuck up with it…"-Duo joked, tapping Heero's back friendly.
"I'll have to try that…" –Heero answered to the pinch, but he turned serious again- "Though I still need to tell you I'm sorry and…well…I appreciate your actions…"
Heero got all tangled with the words. Though he was trying to remember how to say things like that from the times he had heard the others, it seemed the words just won't come out.
Duo smiled, amused and touched by his friend's mannerisms.
"No problem, pal. That's why all of us are here " –Duo said, putting his hand over the other boy's shoulder- "After all, you would do the same for me, right?"
Heero coughed several times, averting his eyes from the American's face.
"Well, I guess so… but I don't know…I would have to think about it…."
"Heero!!!" –Duo protested.
"Just kidding" –Heero said, an almost imperceptible smile drawing in his lips.
Duo blinked in understanding, smiling warmly. He was glad to be back.
The End.
*******************Shinigami's Voice*********************
A/N: So? Is it good enough for being my 2nd fic? I hope you guys had a nice time reading. I particularly enjoyed writing it. And I really hope I was able to make you believe that the shadow was Duo! That was the purpose after all! If I wasn't, well, you sure are smarter than me…I hope you're also kind and R&R. And if you don't mind…come and see my next fanfic: "When someone leaves". See ya later.
"Of Good-byes And Returns"
Chapter Four-Finale!
"I'm not letting you go away" –Heero murmured.
But when Heero reached the top of the hill, what he found was the silhouette standing there. Heero froze in his place…it seemed like the shadow was waiting for something, or someone.
'I've found you…' –Heero thought, taking a deep breath.
Some noises were heard behind them and when 01 turned, he saw Havoc running towards them, a gun in his hand.
'Darn it' –Heero pressed his lips at the enemy's sight. He looked back to the shadow once again, but he discovered that he was running away from them, reaching the enemy's lines.
'What the Hell are you doing, Duo?' –Heero muttered, running after him- 'Maybe Duo has also discovered that Havoc is trying to kill him…'
"Wait! Stop! It's a trap! The Ozies are too close " –Havoc yelled from behind.
Heero knew that, but he kept running, holding his gun firmly, without caring about the other's words.
"Shoot the spy!" –the mercenary said out loud.
'Then I'll have to turn around and shoot you' –Heero thought sharply- 'But I have to save Duo first' –he concluded.
The figure finally halted and turned to face Heero. The Japanese pilot also stopped, looking expectantly.
"Duo?" –he murmured.
"Time's out" –the silhouette suddenly said, lifting his hand.
"He has a gun!"-the mercenary shouted getting closer.
Heero turned to see Havoc and then turned back to the shadow, confused, but he was fast enough to elude the shot aimed directly to him. He jumped back and also lifted his gun.
When he fixed his blue eyes over the silhouette, he was surprised. The shadow had retrieved the hood hiding his face. Heero couldn't believe it….
'And who in the entire Hell is this guy?!' –he thought angrily.
Standing in front of him was a youth of medium black hair, smirking while he aimed his gun towards 01.
"Allow me to introduce myself before killing you, Gundam Pilot. I am Oz's cadet and infiltration spy A. Zebdeck. I'm pleased to see you have followed me into my little ambush" –the soldier said as he pointed to the 3 or 4 snipers standing close by.
Sudden shots cut the air from behind and the snipers were shot down one by one with perfect accuracy.
"Damn it!" –the spy cried out as he and Heero looked back.
"Move! He's gonna shoot you!" –Havoc warned still running towards them, but the OZ's cadet aimed and fired against Heero in that same second.
The bullet hit Havoc's left upper arm because he had thrown himself, getting Heero out of the bullet's trajectory. They both rolled over the ground for a few seconds.
Heero reacted at last and jumping to his feet, he fired. The spy fell down, definitely.
"I told you it was a trap…." –Havoc complained, sitting up- "You should learn to listen, buddy boy" –he mumbled, pressing his wounded arm.
'Duo?'- Heero exclaimed in his mind, coming out from his stupor.
Rick and some other officers arrived then, eliminating the remaining snipers.
'What in space are those two doing?' –Rick scratched his head as he saw Havoc getting up and Heero stepping in front of the mercenary.
Very much as abruptly, Heero snatched both dark glasses and black beret from Havoc's face, revealing then the sparkling amethyst eyes and the locks of chestnut hair falling over his forehead.
"So…aren't ya gonna say hello? –Havoc smiled happily. A smile Heero hadn't seen in almost 5 weeks.
But instead of smiling or being happy, Heero was…furious. He landed a solid punch right into Duo's face, sending him to the ground again.
"Hey! What's going on here?" –Rick tried to stop them when he saw the movement, but it wasn't necessary.
Heero himself reached his hand out, helping Duo to come to his feet again.
"What a way to say hello…" –Duo slightly protested as he rubbed his sore jaw.
"Damn, Duo! What the Hell were you doing all this time? What is going on here?!" –Heero practically yelled in the other's face.
Duo blinked twice. Heero indeed seemed furious. And he was using his 'Hell' terms! And after being so much time fighting and living together with all the team, Duo had learnt that one of Heero's ways to hide his concern was through anger.
"Were you worried about me?" –Duo asked teasingly.
"Hey you two, what's happening here?" –Rick asked coming to stand close to them.
The dull sound of the Dolls flying above them interrupted the conversation, but another sound was immediately heard, as Sandrock, Heavyarms and Shenlong appeared, starting to fight.
"It's time to get working. Lets go for the Gundams…" –Heero said and he and Duo started running towards the hangar.
"And where are you going, Havoc?" –Rick yelled.
"Oh, well, I….err…."
"Your cover is over anyway. Tell the truth and hurry up" –Heero said impatiently.
"What are you talking about?" –Rick asked, trying to understand things there.
"Fine- Duo shrugged- You'll see, commander, my name is not Havoc and I'm not a mercenary either…My name is Duo, Duo Maxwell…"-the American smiled, pleased to use his usual introduction- "…and I am pilot 02 of Gundam DeathScythe Hell…"
"Enough. Lets get moving" –Heero pulled him from the arm.
"What? Gundam Pilot? You're… comrades…?!" –Rick replied perplexed.
"Sure thing. We're buddies, right pal?" –Duo laughed, happy to have someone like Heero to tease again.
"Whatever" –Heero grunted- "Just hurry"- he added as the two made his way to the place.
As Heero had supposed, their own ship was there as well as Wing Zero. Duo stood there, amazed at the sight of his dear DeathScythe.
"Wow! Awesome! You look damn cool, Shinigami, like brand-new! Did you repair it? –he asked Heero, his eyes bright.
"I supposed we could find another pilot better than you" –Heero cynically lied with his seriousness.
"Sure! And I'm Cinderella!" –Duo chirped, understanding Heero's attempt to hide the truth- "Well, lets go back to my favorite hobby!" –Duo said, getting ready to climb to the cockpit.
But he stopped when he felt Heero holding him back by his arm.
"What?" –he asked, and then he saw Heero taking something from his jeans pocket and handing it to him.
"Here, take it. You say it gives you good luck, right?" –the blue-eyed boy said, putting the silver cross on Duo's hand.
Duo looked at the cross with disbelief. He had thought he'd never seen it again! It meant a lot for him and now, he had it back. Then he turned to see Heero. He…he had kept it for him…
"Thanks" –Duo murmured, his voice shivering.
"Lets go" –Heero frowned, entering his Gundam.
When they reached space, Quatre was the first one to protest when they saw DeathScythe there.
"I found a replacement pilot. He may be useful to us…"-Heero explained when the others asked.
"But…but, Heero…that's Duo's Gundam! How can you allow someone else pilots it?! If you were the most affected with this!" –Quatre complained.
A brief laughter could be heard from the 02's cockpit.
"Shut up, 04" –Heero said annoyed- "Now lets get to the mission"
The battle lasted almost an hour, but everything went out fine. The Dolls were destroyed completely and OZ was forced to retreat, totally defeated. Victory for the rebels.
When the Gundams landed into the hangar, everyone jumped out from the cockpits to see the 'replacement', who was the last one in getting out.
"Hi there, guys, it's good to see ya again!" –Duo said, making his spectacular entrance.
There was a moment of silence, but then all burst out into comments and they got closer, greeting him.
"I must admit it was suspicious to see someone piloting DeathScythe as well as you" –Wufei said in greeting voice, thought he couldn't help to feel relief to see Duo.
"Welcome back, Duo, we're happy you're fine" –Trowa said, smiling slightly, but his eyes showed his interior happiness.
"We've missed you so much…we're just grateful you're back…"-Quatre, always the kind heart, said, hugging him briefly.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I can tell you've missed me, huh? That isn't strange because I always knew that…" –Duo started rambling as usual.
"Oh no, lets say good-bye to peace and quiet…"-Wufei sadly protested.
---------------------------------------------0------------------------------ ------------------
They stayed there that night, but they'll be leaving next day. Rick tried to convince Duo to stay because even though war against OZ was over, they could use his help.
But Duo, still called 'Havoc' by the rebels, refused politely. He was, after all, a Gundam Pilot and, as a Gundam Pilot he had to return with the others after accomplishing his mission.
"So, it was a mission" –Heero said, sitting beside the platform were Duo was working.
"Yeah. And I think someone here has taught me to take the missions very seriously" –Duo smirked as he checked the systems of his beloved DeathScythe.
Heero was trying to understand all that fuzz, not finding logic in it. But, thinking it twice, it made sense. Heero had imagined Havoc was a spy when he saw the Internet connection and the way the mercenary discovered the Oz's hidden communicator, but he now reasoned that Havoc, being Duo, was able to do such things. 'I was indeed blind' –Heero mused to himself.
"But, did this mission have something to do with the incident of that gundanium cannon?" –Heero asked, still confused as Duo tried to explain that messy situation.
"Nope, nothing. The mission was given to me when I was already here, after Shinigami's explosion…"
"How did you escaped from that?" –Heero asked in low voice.
"To be honest, I don't know. I guess as was lucky, but I'm not sure. Sometimes I think that our Gundams protect us, ya know? Maybe it's just my imagination, but I think DeathScythe closed the cockpit hermetically until it hit ground and then the right shield protected me to get out of the cockpit before it exploded. As I was bleeding and in bad shape, the only thing I could do was to walk away from the fire as much as possible. I think I passed out then. When I woke up, I was in this rebel's ship towards here. I contacted Preventors and, wow! What I surprise to read that I was reported as 'missed in battle'. So they gave me this mission incognito and I was prohibited to communicate with you, guys. The fact I was dead was important for the fake personality, so I cam here as the mercenary Havoc…" Duo explained, shutting down the systems and getting out from the cockpit.
"The name fitted you well" –Heero commented- "And I must admit you did a decent job with the personality change. Havoc was like…"-Heero thought for a second.
"Like you!" –Duo laughed- "I was kind of worried when I saw you here. I thought you would discover me immediately, so I tried to act like anything but Duo. Mercenary, soldier, antisocial guy…I deserve an Academy Award!" –Duo boasted.
"Hn. I was too busy and concentrated in my mission. I didn't have time to lose thinking about you or anything else…"-Heero lied, frowning and folding arms- "Besides, as you weren't all clad in black and that ridiculous braid of yours was hidden under the duster, no one could have recognized you" –Heero defended himself.
Duo laughed inwardly. Heero was trying hard to deny it, but, man! Duo saw the expression of his friend's face when he finally found him. He understood Heero and his way to neglect his feelings. But it felt good to have people worried about you.
"Well, I'm back at work, so don't scowl me anymore. Be nice. They were just little white lies…" -Duo said, cleaning his hands with a piece of fabric- "Sorry if I caused any problem…"
Heero nodded his head in disagreement. He was the one supposed to apologize.
"No. It's me who has the duty to…" –Heero started slowly.
Duo raised his eyebrows surprised. Heero was apologizing? To him?
"Hey, hold it there, man" –Duo said lifting his hand in order to hush Heero- "No need for those things. Forget about the apologies, ok?"
"No, it's necessary. I wouldn't be a good soldier if I don't accept my mistakes…" –Heero replied seriously.
"Come on! Just never mind it. You're not perfect even if we call you that. Don't get all stuck up with it…"-Duo joked, tapping Heero's back friendly.
"I'll have to try that…" –Heero answered to the pinch, but he turned serious again- "Though I still need to tell you I'm sorry and…well…I appreciate your actions…"
Heero got all tangled with the words. Though he was trying to remember how to say things like that from the times he had heard the others, it seemed the words just won't come out.
Duo smiled, amused and touched by his friend's mannerisms.
"No problem, pal. That's why all of us are here " –Duo said, putting his hand over the other boy's shoulder- "After all, you would do the same for me, right?"
Heero coughed several times, averting his eyes from the American's face.
"Well, I guess so… but I don't know…I would have to think about it…."
"Heero!!!" –Duo protested.
"Just kidding" –Heero said, an almost imperceptible smile drawing in his lips.
Duo blinked in understanding, smiling warmly. He was glad to be back.
The End.
*******************Shinigami's Voice*********************
A/N: So? Is it good enough for being my 2nd fic? I hope you guys had a nice time reading. I particularly enjoyed writing it. And I really hope I was able to make you believe that the shadow was Duo! That was the purpose after all! If I wasn't, well, you sure are smarter than me…I hope you're also kind and R&R. And if you don't mind…come and see my next fanfic: "When someone leaves". See ya later.