Sequel to Mercy's Sacrifice
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of the characters or props
affiliated with them. I do, however, own the plot.
~*~ Chapter 11 ~*~ Forever In My Heart
Taking a deep breath and swallowing hard, he spoke softly as the beam saber neared, ready to end his life. "I'm sorry it had to end like this my friend..."
Hearing the searing hot saber slice through his suit, Trowa closed his eyes and awaited his fate. The smell of burning and metling metal filled his nose, the fumes becoming somewhat overwhelming as the heat from the blade fell over his skin, the electronics within the cockpit spitting and hissing as they shorted out and some even exploded. Covering his head as metal rained around him, the youth looked up to see that the blade had sliced through the cockpit, but he was still alive and could see to the outside. Staring in disbelief as the blade stayed a moment longer before being yanked from the useless suit, Trowa had but moments to think before he felt himself falling and finally the impact of hitting the earth. They were extremely long moments, allowing him to think, as if he were dying and saw his life flash before his eyes. Everything went in slow motion, he could see himself falling from the sky and to the ground, Quatre and his suit towering above him, the beam saber still in hand but not ready to strike. Then he felt it, his head snapping against the back of the chair as the dust and other debris flew into the air around him, the trees snapping and being crushed beneath the heavy weapon of war. Giving a startled and pained cry, the youth closed his eyes, his lungs seeming to be crushed by the blow as he tried to take in each breath. Finally gasping, he lay still, not bothering to open his eyes as he heard the hiss of the other suits land beside him, nor did he when he heard the safety being released on a gun.
"The fight is over, I won't reduce myself to a weakling's standards and kill you, but bring you back alive..." Keeping his gun trained on Trowa, the Arabian youth spoke softly but icily. Trowa's last words before he'd struck the mobile suit were enough to cause him to reconsider his actions.
Gasping as he stifled yet another cry, Trowa looked up and tried to steady the spinning of their surroundings. "Don't bother... I will not strike out again at one I still consider a friend, nor will I harm.... but I will not go back to capture to watch my other friends die." Grimacing at the pressure against his lower waist, he realized that the panel had been shoved along with the door of the cockpit, pinning him down and not allowing any attempt for escape on his own.
Lowering his gun, Quatre walked slowly over to the other boy's side, stepping through the still steaming wreckage of the side of the cockpit.
"Officer Winner, what are you doing?"
"Getting the prisoner out of here. 01 needs to be taken back to the base and straight to the medical wing, he's too injured to make it without help. I need updates on the others as well..." Placing the safety back on and tossing the gun to one of the other soldiers, Quatre looked down at the paling Trowa once more. Bracing his feet against the bottom of the chair, the youth tried to push the control panel off of the pilot's legs, his attempts unrewarding but he tried none the less.
"Sir, why not just destroy your enemy?" Adams walked up, keeping his gun trained on the one who'd tried to kill him.
"Because I won't sink to that level. And I won't kill unless I have to." Catching a soft groan, he began to push again. "Crusaders, I will not order you to help an enemy, but I will ask for your help in freeing him..." Gritting his teeth and feeling it shift somewhat, he continued to strain and disregarded his own injuries, locking his ankle so it didn't give out on him. Turning his eyes somewhat desperately and watching as a few of the soldiers stepped forward and picked their way into the small cockpit, he nodded in appreciation at their help. "We won't know how badly he's injured until we get this off of him. We need to try this all at once. On my mark, 2, 1, mark..." It seemed to be the only true commands they understood, all five soldiers lifting and pushing the control panel upward. It moved, enough for Trowa to be freed, but he wasn't really moving or rebelling, still taking in short and shallow gasps.
"Sir, we can't keep holding it like this..." Straining to keep his ground on the tilted floor, Adams watched the strategic command officer.
"I know..."
"Sir, we can hold this if you can get him out quickly." Giving a small grin, the officer braced himself further.
"All right, when I get him out, let it down." Letting go of the heavy object, he quickly fumbled to undo the restraining harness that strapped the youth in the chair, catching sight of his blood-covered pant leg. He seemed to be just hanging onto consciousness. "03... Trowa, wake up. The battle is over and you're going to live whether you like it or not...." Pulling his limp form from the chair, Quatre nodded as the others let the panel fall, the machinary breaking free of its position on the floor and crashing into the chair. Laying the youth on the grass, he tried to wake him up again. "Trowa..."
Duo watched as Trowa's mobile suit was dropped from the sky, having seen the cockpit annihilated. Watching in dispair and fear, he was still trying to register that Quatre was alive, let alone that Quatre had just killed his own friend. "God no... what the hell did you do to my little buddy?!" Looking to his side as Heero was taken from the grass and placed in a jeep, Duo struggled but was forced to stay where he was. "Where the hell are you taking him?!"
"You're getting to be a real pain 02, cut the crap already. Unless you want him to bleed to death, we were given orders to follow all of Officer Winner's, and we're helping that brat as we were ordered. Just shut the hell up, you've caused enough trouble already."
Wufei was forced to the landing of the shuttle, finding Duo as his normal protective self, Heero bleeding and being transported back to the base, or so he guessed. He didn't know anything about Trowa and Quatre's battle, or why Quatre had turned against him. He should never have believed Une, the warrior knew it too.
Troubled emerald eyes fluttering open, the youth looked about himself. He wasn't in the cockpit anymore, but he could see a bright blue sky with soft whisps of clouds drifting lazily in the heavens. Trying to turn his head and finding that it only caused a sharp pain to shoot throughout his back and shoulders, the boy stopped his movements.
"Heero is being helped and the others have just been reported fine, and I won't lose any of my prisoners after working that hard to keep you alive. Let alone not to get you killed in that battle." Quatre forced himself to remain indifferent of their emotions as well as his, keeping focused on the tasks at hand. He had to, there were no two ways about it.
"W-why?" biting his tongue to stifle a cry, he forced the word to speak.
"Because I owe you at least that much..." Was all he replied. Quatre motioned for the oncoming jeep to be brought their way, the soldiers that were helping him already having exited the destroyed mobile suit and they were watching quietly. "We need to get him back to the base and to the medical wing as well. He's lost a good amount of blood and we're bringing back all the prisoners, alive. Private, undo these handcuffs, he won't struggle, he's too weak." Sitting back on his heals as the private did so, Quatre forgot about himself and focused on the boy before him.
Closing his eyes and taking in deeper breaths, Trowa felt his hands released of the cuffs before they were laid by his sides. Looking up and catching the once merciful, bright blue eyes of the youthful aristocrat, all he received was a small nod as he felt a hand clasp his own reassuringly.
~*~
Lady watched the battle, nodding in approval. Quatre had done as he saw fit, not only surprising and astounding his once fellow comrades, but brining them back alive and to their knees. They were devistated that he had turned against them, and now their spirits were truly broken. It couldn't have worked out any better. That, and all the men and women that had been sent after the escaped craft and suits were all brought back. The loss of the shuttle and the two virgos wasn't that great, barely even a minor problem, so the older woman didn't worry about that. Smirking as she headed toward the hangers, Lady Une wished to commend her soldiers for a job well done. A successful brinigng back of the prisoners who at most other times succeeded in escape. Not this time, and not again. Spotting the youth entering the hanger, pilots 02 and 05 walking behind while 01 and 03 had been taken straight to the medical wing, she smiled in approval. "A successful and complete mission, done with accuracy, no casualties after the true escape, and all prisoners accounted for. You've proven yourself, First Lieutenant Winner. You've shown great leadership, strength, courage, skill, and was willing to risk it all for your mission and to see that the safety of your fleet was of utmost importance. You now rank Captain, Officer Winner. If you keep going at this rate, you'll surpass me and I'll be forced to salute you..." Smiling and shaking the youth's hand in congratulations while his new comrades applauded, the Lieutenant Colonel noticed his still somewhat pale features and his unhappy expression. "Is something wrong Captain?"
A heavy sigh escaped his lips, his hand searching for the railing or anything to keep himself steady. Most of his weight was forced on his left leg, his right ankle paining him, now that the adrenaline rush was over, far beyond ignoring or bearing. "I am sorry Ma'am, I still do not feel well though." Trying to meet her gaze, he quickly caught Duo's grimace out of the corner of his eye, noticing as well, Wufei's discontent. Turning, he watched as the soldiers quieted their voices, seeing the one that was forcing Duo roughly stop hesitantly. "Soldier, I'll ask you not to force them in such manners. They are prisoners, I agree with that, but they are also people and they are just as prone to injuries as you and I. After that battle and each that they'd suffered in the immediate crash landing and in my bringing down the mobile suit, they both would have sustained injuries of their own." Turning back to his commanding officer, Quatre took in a deep breath and continued. "With your permission Ma'am, I believe that the prisoners should be examined for any injuries and treated for them, whether internal or external. Any in their exhausted state could be harmful and if we wish to keep the Gundam Pilots alive and in our custody, I believe it would be best."
Smirking, she nodded. "You have my permission, Captain. Private, Second Lieutenant, take both 02 and 05 to the hospital wing and tell the surgeons that they are to do a full scan of all four boys, treat any injuries they have, no matter how slight, and that when done they are taken back to their holding cell unless given other instructions."
"Yes Ma'am," they barked back in unison, saluting and taking both of the Gundam Pilots to the medical wing, yet with Quatre's gaze, they had a little more patience with the two boys.
Quatre watched as they left, catching Duo's disappointed, hurt, and distraught eyes as he passed by, Wufei avoiding him in total. Yet Quatre had his orders, and he made his own. He was following his own plans. They just had to see that and the sooner, the better. Turning from them and back to Une, he was dismissed to go back and rest in her chambers as he had been.
Lady called another soldier over, having him help Quatre back to her quarters. "If you still feel up to it Captain, you'd better eat something or at least try. I trust that if he requests so, you can help him Sanders?"
"Yes Ma'am," he called back, not barking his cresponse as they did because Quatre was right next to him.
~*~
Collapsing and laying on the bed without a care, the young Arabian closed his eyes and rubbed them with his palms. The looks on the others' faces were somewhat heartbreaking yet rather amusing. Especially for how strong they were supposed to be. Sighing deeply and raising his arms high into the air, he tried to disregard the waves of pain shooting throughout his leg. He knew he'd regret it at the time, he just didn't know how much he'd regret it.
"Do you need anything else Captain? As Ms Une proposed, possibly a warm meal that you haven't seemed to have eaten in days?" Smirking, the young officer, Sanders, stood with his hands behind his back.
"We're not around Lady Une, there's no need to be so formal. Just something to eat and possibly a tranquilizer."
"A tranquilizer? Why?"
"So I can sleep without the pain shooting through my leg. Either that, or just amputate the thing and don't worry about it. Which sounds like more fun?" Opening his eyes, Quatre forced himself to sit up as he took off his shoes, trying not to aggrivate his injured leg any further.
"The amputation, but Ms Un still might need you. How about some asperin?" Laughing softly, the subordinate officer relaxed.
"Or that..." Laying back on the pillows again, he closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. It was normal, but doing so helped to calm his body, and even his soul. It was still fighting with itself, but he had his plans all drawn out within his mind, and he would see them through. With a yawn, the youth slowly turned on his left side and pulled the blankets up over his shoulders, feeling the eyes of the other still on him, but that didn't matter.
"Are you just going to go ahead and fall asleep or do you really want something to eat?"
"If you could, I'll be awake and if I'm not, just wake me up..." Sighing and curling up a little underneath the blanket, he felt strangely cold for some reason. He knew that the room was warm, if not hot, but he was freezing.
"All right, I'll be back in a few minutes..." Laughing softly, he turned and left the room, turning the main light off on his way out and closing the door.
~*~
Grimacing and standing, the American youth tried not to take in too deep of breaths because of his ribs. The x-rays showed that he had two broken ribs and two more were bruised. That was great, just great! With wary eyes, the youth kept note of the doctor's every move, his every flinch. Duo didn't trust them, they didn't trust him. Everything was even. "What now?"
Shooting a glare at the youth, the doctor read through his scribbles and diagnosis, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything or Ms Une would surly have a fit. He really didn't need that right now. "Now you're done kid, you go back to wherever Une wants to put you."
Catching Wufei's gaze, they were both in the same room with a doctor and two escorts each, he gave a small nod. Trying to smile, the American youth felt his arms put back in the Godforsaken handcuffs. They didn't know anything about Heero or Trowa, the two more seriously injured pilots. Leaving with the escorts, the youth tried nothing for fear of losing his friends. What he knew now was worse than Quatre's "death", he was now their enemy. Most everyone's enemy, Duo still couldn't face him as such and would rather die by his hand than admit him anything other than a dear friend and brother. "Catch ya later Wufei man."
Wufei watched the youth leave, turning his instantly cold eyes back to the doctor before him. Une had to do this just to spite him, he was sure of it. His doctor was nothing more than a woman. By the looks of it, he had a fractured collar-bone, a sprained back, and some bruised ribs but nothing major. All that, and a headache that just helped to make things so much "better".
Glacing over her charts and the x-rays, the youthful female smirked under his intense gaze of loathing. So this was the proud Chang Wufei of the dragon clan. She actually enjoyed being in his presense, only because he hated it so. That was obvious in his eyes and reluctant movements. Looking up and laughing softly, she received a deadly glare and only nodded in approval. "Soldiers, he's done and fine, everything that needs to be tended to is done and he's healthy enough to return to his cell."
Gritting his teeth, Wufei put his arms out so that the restraints could be replaced, they weren't chancing it, especially with the others. Normally, he would have his arm in a sling or something to keep it from moving, but he didn't want one, need one, nor did they even suggest one. They were learning quickly. Following the escorts out the door, he walked quietly but rather stifly back to the cell, his back now bothering him even more than it ever had before.
Opening his eyes in reluctance, the Japanese youth gazed about himself and listened to the steady *beeping* of the heart monitor next to his bed. He was bound to the bed once more, the searing pain in his side dulled greatly, the one in his shoulder not really noticable until he moved it, and his energy having been given a good boost. Heero wasn't even sure he was going to live through Trowa's and Wufei's battle against Quatre. Quatre. His new enemy, and no longer his friend. That's why he believed it so wrong to accept his death, because he wasn't dead. Sighing deeply, the troubled youth closed his eyes and remained quiet, uncertain of how the others were doing but knowing that their escape was a total failure. Because of one he once called a friend, an actual friend. He just hoped that the others were all right and knew what he must do when he healed. Destroy his enemy and the base, then end the war.
Trowa remained in a subconscious state, not really conscious, nor unconscious. The pain had stopped and disappeared, yet he had not the energy to awaken. He'd suffered from loss of blood with the gunshot wound, a couple of bruised, lower ribs from the fall, and bruising to his lower abdomen, organs and muscle both, from the weight of the control panel. Luckily, he'd escaped concussion or a major injury, yet was monitored closely by the doctors as told by their commanding officer.
~*~
Sitting up reluctantly but not as unwillingly when the smell of the food drifted to his nose, Quatre gave a soft thank you before beginning to pick at his food. It didn't look all that bad for being army rations, it was more than he had had in a long time. Yet, something still didn't feel right and to add to it, he was still tired. "I must see my plans through..." Picking up a forkfull of his meal, he was yet to determine for sure what it was, he ate it slowly. It wasn't as bad as it looked, and surprisingly not worse either.
~*~
Lady sat in the control room, supervising all that was going on before her and just having time to think. She'd have to convince Quatre in full again that he was right, to join OZ. The look that he met Duo's with was one of regret and sorrow. It wouldn't be hard to sway him back from his uncertainty, she'd done it before. Even Trowa's words didn't seem to reach him, so there was no worrying about his friends trying to persuade him back.
"Ma'am?"
Pulling from her thoughts, Lady looked about herself to find that a youthful woman was waiting for her permission to speak. "Yes soldier?"
"Ma'am, the prisoners have been treated, 02 and 05 both being returned to their cell while 01 and 03 are being monitored by the doctors. Both have become stable and are resting now, they should be able to be put back in the cell in a little while. We were lucky enough that the didn't take the cargo ship, so we can still transport them onto the Galaxia Base. At least 02 and 05 if you wish."
Sighing and pursing her lips, Lady nodded. If all four of them were together, they were a real pain to try and handle. That, and escape was pretty much just waiting for them to try and snag. At least at that base, the Galaxia Base could hold them better. They had more for that and it was mainly a prisoner base. "We'll go ahead and transport them out of here tonight then, all four of them."
"Yes Ma'am." Saluting her commanding officer, the young woman left to inform the escorts and guards of the soldiers of the slight change in plans. Turning, she questioned again. "Ma'am? The shuttle is leaving in a few minutes, should they go on now or wait for the next shuttle that's still being loaded?"
A moment's hesitation was all she needed to think. "Now."
"Yes Ma'am."
~*~
"Heya man, heard anything yet?" Piping up at the entrance of his friend, Duo gave a small grin and a hopeful look to the warrior.
"Not yet Duo..." was all he replied, the Chinese youth sitting down painfully on the steps.
"You okay man?"
"I'll be fine..." Hearing the approaching footsteps, considering that Wufei's escorts had just left and dropped him off at the cell, the young man groaned. "What more do they want?"
Eyeing him wearily and nodding, Duo gave a half-hearted laugh. "Maybe to brag that this is the first time they've actually kept us from escaping. Then again, we did it under different circumstances, so we didn't do too bad this time."
"Under greatly different circumstances and they had an upper hand." Shaking his head and smirking sadly, the young dragon took a deep breath before releasing it, his mind still a whirlwind. He thought he'd cleared that up, but with the new information on Quatre, he was right back where he started.
"Go away, no one's home!" Duo called as the door was pushed open.
"Maybe not mentally, I'll agree with that. Get up kiddies, we're going for a ride..." Sneering, the soldier trained his gun on the smart-ass pilot, watching the two boys stands as three other soldiers stood behind him.
"Wow, you actually came prepared.... I call front!" Smirking, Duo masked his pain and devistation of Quatre's choice with a cocky attitude and a smile.
"Sorry, all kids ride in back. And if you dare to try anything, we'll gladly shoot the other two as punishment, and we're not bluffing this time." Nodding, he motioned for the other soldier to bring one of the prisoners forward.
"Heero!" Staying where he was when he caught his friend's glare, he watched the soldier force the boy to stand before the doorway. He was struggling to stay up and he wasn't really rebelling, his features depressed and exhausted, yet his glare still held it's hatred and loathing when he shot it at the soldiers.
"Like I said, don't try anything. 03 is already on the transport unit, and we can easily call the command to kill him as we shoot this sad bastard here. So, cut the crap and come on."
Taking in a sharp breath and wincing as he was shoved forward, Heero gritted his teeth and couldn't stop his small wince. All they'd pretty much done was decide that he was going to be transported whether awake or unconscious, found him awake, jerked him from the bed, and brought him down here. At least he knew that the others were all right, Duo and Wufei were right before him and he could see that he was fine, Trowa was already said to be on the transport unit and so that meant he was alive. By the sounds of it, he was weak and he only hoped that Trowa wasn't too badly injured. They'd make another escape attempt, though later. They didn't have the health to do it now, so they'd bide their time. Or maybe they could still overtake the transporter, they'd have to be extremely careful though. Groaning as the soldier gripped his shoulder firmly, though they seemed to be getting better at making it his uninjured shoulder, Heero shot back. "Watch what the hell you're doing... nrmph..."
Shoving the kid to spite him as he stumbled forward, the soldier kept his gun to the back of his head. "Just watch it or my finger might slip and pull the trigger."
"Slip, I'm sure." Hissing back, he watched the others and gave a faint but reassuring glace before watching them exit without trouble or fight.
"Take it easy buddy, we don't want anythin' happening to ya.." Gazing over at the stubborn Japanese pilot, they made their way to the hangers, only this time, they wouldn't escape. Not just yet. Duo didn't want to lose any friends as he'd sworn to himself before.
"Oh how sentimental," the fourth soldier called sarcastically. "Hurry up, we've got better things to do."
"And do what? Fight like children amongst yourselves and blame it on the war?" Sighing, Wufei felt the barrel of the gun thrust into his back in warning, the youth forcing himself not to wince or flinch.
~*~
Quatre watched over Trowa's form, sitting leaning his back against the inside of the shuttle. He had to finish his plans, now or never. This was his last and only chance. He'd told the rest of the shuttle's crew that Une had asked him to supervise the pilots. The Arabian youth was still tired and his ankle was still bothering him, though the asperin did help. "I owe you at least this much, I owe you all...." Speaking the words once more and just barely in a whisper, the youth watched as the others entered, turning his gaze from their stare.
Heero caught sight of the young platinum blonde and glared, his eyes cold. If they were to be enemies, then so be it. He'd betrayed them. Stifling a groan when he was shoved once more without warning, he felt himself fall to his knees while his legs gave out from under him.
"Heero, are you okay man?!" Duo kneeled by his side, still feeling the gun trained on him but they didn't stop him. And yet, that's all the American pilot did, was to kneel by his side and show concern, for he'd learned that Heero thought any help a weakness, at least in front of the enemy. That, and if he had the strength to do it himself, even if it meant using all he had at once, he'd do it.
Keeping silent, he only gave a small nod and turned his eyes from the youth before him to Trowa. He did seem weaker, greatly, and his pale form was still unmoving, but he was still alive none the less. Quatre's gaze seemed to catch his momentarily before it was thrown back to the ground his eyes averting. That was fine with Heero, though something still didn't seem right.
Taking in a deep breath, Quatre raised his eyes and looked past the three pilots, to the soldiers. "You're dismissed, I'll be supervising the prisoners as well as Private Sanders. He'll be along shortly. I was given strict orders by Lieutenant Colonel Une herself." Taking his gun into his hands and brushing his fingers softly over the deadly glint of the metal, he looked back up to catch their uncertainty as the soldiers stared at him. "They'll get to the next base alive and no worse than they are when they leave here, don't worry." Laughing softly, the others joined him as the nodded and left. They'd check the orders with Lady but by that time, they'd be gone.
Sitting with his back against the opposite wall, Heero watched as Duo neared him and Wufei tried to sit down stifly. "We're all fine now, that's enough to put my mind at ease somewhat..." Sighing softly, Heero closed his eyes and pulled his legs up closer to his body, his knees almost touching his chest. This was going to be one hell of a long capture.
"All prisoners and escorts are accounted for. We're ready to go." Yelling up to the pilots of the shuttle, Quatre kept his eyes on the others. Duo watched him warily and in curiosity, Heero had tensed at the statement but remained silent with his eyes closed, and Wufei just seemed to not even be listening. Watching the door shut and lock, Quatre kept his voice down and sat down next to the temporary, make-shift bed for the unconscious pilot. "Not glad to see me?"
"You are an enemy now, no concern of mine but to destroy my enemy, for they are those who try and kill me and take away my freedom." Heero stated, opening his eyes with a glare, keeping his Prussian eyes trained on the young aristocrat.
"Why'd you think we abandoned you man? Why'd you switch loyalties all of the sudden?" The questions had plagued his mind, his saddened eyes watching the boy before him. This just wasn't Quatre.
Wufei opened his eyes, keeping his trained on the other as well, wary of his every movement as the shuttle shuddered and took off beneath them.
Biting his lower lip and trying to force a smile, the youth spoke again. "Please don't look at me like that guys... you've got to learn to trust me more." Smirking, he stood and quickly undid Trowa's bindings when he was sure that they were out of the base and in the air. Striding over to the others, he held out his hands, the coldness and bitterness gone from his voice, the anger and frustration from his eyes. "You've got to have more trust in me than that, you're stuck with me for the rest of my life, so get used to it. OZ is too trusting for their own good..." Kneeling when none of the three moved but stared once more at him in amazement, he laughed softly and undid their handcuffs with a key that he'd taken. "There, just stay quiet and stay here. Watch Trowa, he's weak and vulnerable right now. I said we're getting to the next base and we are, Sally's." Standing, he stopped when he heard a voice pop up behind him and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Did I just miss something here?"
"I don't really know if either of us can answer that one Duo," Wufei spoke quietly.
"I said, I'll explain in a few minutes. But I've got something to do right now..." Trotting off to the cockpit, Quatre quickly knocked the two pilots out, the only other crew on the ship besides him, and took the controls long enough to put it on autopilot. Erasing the tracking programs from the electronic consul, he used the handcuffs from the others to place on the unconscious pilots. He wasn't going to kill them, they'd helped him and he owed OZ somewhat, besides he didn't delight in killing. Trotting back to the still shocked boys, he only laughed and shook his head, taking something from his pocket.
"What's that?" Wufei asked suspiciously.
"A detonator." Heero answered, smirking at seeing the familiar object.
"Who wants to see some fireworks? Please just turn to look out the window behind you at the base..." Smirking, he held the small detonator in his hand. "I owe them something for saving my life and for caring for me as they did, so I won't destroy the entire of the base but just put them out of commission." Clicking the button, he watched as well, the others smiling and Duo laughing at the explosion. He'd made sure that no one was in the hanger, but all the mobile suits had been located there, along with all their ammunition and any other weapons.
"Holy shit man! When the hell did this become you?!" Duo watched, laughing and turning back.
"Since I met you, but I've tried to keep a well-mannered and brought up nature. Do you still trust me or am I still your enemy?" Hopefuly speaking, Quatre watched the others. He knew he'd done a lot to them in such a short amount of time and he'd given them all the reasons in the world not to trust him. They might even believe now that this was a trick, but it wasn't.
"I never could see you as being an enemy. All's forgiven little buddy." Smiling and standing, he walked over to his friend, catching his wary glance and laughing. "You're pretty damn good at acting though, or I hope that was acting..."
"I'm sorry I had to. I wasn't even expecting your forgiveness, but at the time, I wasn't sure what to do." Lowering his eyes guiltily, Quatre turned from them and went to sit on the steps of the cargo bay/passenger area. "I don't expect your forgiveness nor your trust in return, Heero, Wufei. I just want you to know that I'm sorry for what I did but I had my reasons too. I don't even expect Trowa to, nor did I you, Duo."
Wufei looked at him, smirking. "And what makes you think you did anything wrong? You did what you had to do Quatre, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. You just scared the..."
"The living crap out of us! Dude, I swear, it was like watching Jesus rise from the grave or something and then when you fought, it was like watching Heero and I swear, I was so freaked out at that time man, I was..." Duo blurted in, rambling on an dgetting excited like a child.
"Duo, stop," was all the warrior replied with, his head still pounding.
Laughing softly, Quatre had two that looked past what he did enough to forgive him, yet Heero and Trowa were the last to reply and Heero was the only other conscious but he remained silent. "Thank you Wufei. I didn't mean to, but everything was just messed up at the time and I was continually lied to and frustrated without any answers. I woke up to find one of my best friends holding a gun pointed at me, thought I was going to die, and then everything was hazy until I woke up in what I thought was one of Sally's rooms. When you find it belonging to the enemy and are not only exhausted and worried with millions of questions flooding your mind, you tend to believe things you shouldn't. Like I almost believed what Lady Une had told me, that they'd found the cabin entrance dug open and me left alone to die inside. I couldn't remember and had to play OZ as best as I could, but I jumped to conclusions during that battle between Trowa and myself. The look on your faces, it almost seemed to say that I wasn't even supposed to be alive. I was angered with myself and with life at the time, and I took it out on those I cared most for. As for shooting you the two of you down Duo and Heero, that was for other reasons. I could feel your pain and weakness Heero, knowing that if you were let to escape, you wouldn't make it halfway to Sally's base, you wouldn't make it alive at all. And as for Trowa, I couldn't battle him and you Wufei, but I could feel him slipping too. I had to do something but make it believeable enough so that OZ would treat you at my recommendation. I didn't mean to hurt any of you, but it appears I did, and I couldn't be more sorry for it. And I should never have let my anger get the best of me."
Heero's gaze had softened when Quatre released him from the handcuffs and then destroyed the weaponry of OZ, but anyone could do that. Closing his eyes and keeping silent, the youth didn't let any of his emotion show. That had to be why it felt wrong to be angry with Quatre when he was, because Quatre was still on their side.
Standing to return to Trowa's side and make sure that he was still fairing well, a soft voice called to him from behind.
"As I was told and I've even informed you, the only way for a person to live a good life is to follow their emotions which you did. You've been forgiven, you have been. But you can never truly be forgiven until you forgive yourself Quatre. You did nothing wrong..." Heero watched his movements stop, catching his merciful and grateful eyes once more.
Smiling, the youth only nodded. "Thank you Heero." Kneeling and checking his friend's vitals and making sure that he wasn't contracting a fever, he stood and motioned for Duo to sit and watch over him. "The shuttle is on autopilot, but it can't be for too long. The tracking devises are all destroyed or shut off, the pilots held captive and will be sent back to OZ, and I think Sally's going to like having a few more "toys" around."
"The pilots are still alive? How're we gettin' 'em back to OZ? And why would we want to?" Duo questioned, taking a seat on the floor next to Trowa's side.
"I owe them as well, not only have they saved my life and taken care of me while I was ill and injured, but they treated me like a normal person. Just for being OZ, that's a big improvement. I owe them something for their mercy and I won't destroy those soldiers, and not anymore until the next battle. I will try and spare as many lives as I can as well, I won't take a life if I don't have to." Nodding to Duo, he climbed the steps but stopped at another question. Shifting his weight to his left leg, the youth listened.
"Uh, sorry to keep buggin' ya man, but you know what's on here, right? Is there any food or rations on here or anything?" Eyeing him hopefully, the youth cursed softly at receiving a soft shake of the head.
Smirking and chuckling softly, Quatre replied. "Sorry Duo, this is a cargo shuttle. We'll be at Sally's in no time. Don't worry, it's only about another hour."
"Hour?!"
Laughing and turning, he nodded. "Yes, considering where we were. You should all try and rest..." Smiling happily and taking a deep breath, the youth made his way to the cockpit.
A/N: Oh, aren't I evil? ~smirks~ I like these stories, not only did I play with the characters' minds, but yours too! ~laughs and hides from everyone, taking shelter in Trowa's gundam~ Besides, I couldn't let my favorite character die, poor Trowa, I torture him and the others so much. Hope you like this, it's finished! If you've still got questions, I can write up a short epilogue. For those reading Strength of Friendship, and if you haven't found it out yet, Chapter 13, Life's Lessons is up. It has been. Chapter 14 is the end, but I never saw the end in my dream, where this story originated... ~glares at sisters~ because someone had to wake me up! So I'm working on it, and the next chapter for Heaven's Angel is like- halfway done. Thanks for all of my reviewers and reviews! This is the story that most seemed to like and I almost broke 80 reviews! Well, since I last checked. I was hoping it'd break 100 but I'd be happy with 1. Thanks all soooo much for sticking with this, oh, this is THIS ending! There's going to be an alternate ending for those who chose ending #1. I'm startin' a couple new stories too, now just to upload "A Smile Covers All". ~wonders off, looking for the disk~ Please review and thank you, thank you, thank you soooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!! ~hugs all~
~*~ Chapter 11 ~*~ Forever In My Heart
Taking a deep breath and swallowing hard, he spoke softly as the beam saber neared, ready to end his life. "I'm sorry it had to end like this my friend..."
Hearing the searing hot saber slice through his suit, Trowa closed his eyes and awaited his fate. The smell of burning and metling metal filled his nose, the fumes becoming somewhat overwhelming as the heat from the blade fell over his skin, the electronics within the cockpit spitting and hissing as they shorted out and some even exploded. Covering his head as metal rained around him, the youth looked up to see that the blade had sliced through the cockpit, but he was still alive and could see to the outside. Staring in disbelief as the blade stayed a moment longer before being yanked from the useless suit, Trowa had but moments to think before he felt himself falling and finally the impact of hitting the earth. They were extremely long moments, allowing him to think, as if he were dying and saw his life flash before his eyes. Everything went in slow motion, he could see himself falling from the sky and to the ground, Quatre and his suit towering above him, the beam saber still in hand but not ready to strike. Then he felt it, his head snapping against the back of the chair as the dust and other debris flew into the air around him, the trees snapping and being crushed beneath the heavy weapon of war. Giving a startled and pained cry, the youth closed his eyes, his lungs seeming to be crushed by the blow as he tried to take in each breath. Finally gasping, he lay still, not bothering to open his eyes as he heard the hiss of the other suits land beside him, nor did he when he heard the safety being released on a gun.
"The fight is over, I won't reduce myself to a weakling's standards and kill you, but bring you back alive..." Keeping his gun trained on Trowa, the Arabian youth spoke softly but icily. Trowa's last words before he'd struck the mobile suit were enough to cause him to reconsider his actions.
Gasping as he stifled yet another cry, Trowa looked up and tried to steady the spinning of their surroundings. "Don't bother... I will not strike out again at one I still consider a friend, nor will I harm.... but I will not go back to capture to watch my other friends die." Grimacing at the pressure against his lower waist, he realized that the panel had been shoved along with the door of the cockpit, pinning him down and not allowing any attempt for escape on his own.
Lowering his gun, Quatre walked slowly over to the other boy's side, stepping through the still steaming wreckage of the side of the cockpit.
"Officer Winner, what are you doing?"
"Getting the prisoner out of here. 01 needs to be taken back to the base and straight to the medical wing, he's too injured to make it without help. I need updates on the others as well..." Placing the safety back on and tossing the gun to one of the other soldiers, Quatre looked down at the paling Trowa once more. Bracing his feet against the bottom of the chair, the youth tried to push the control panel off of the pilot's legs, his attempts unrewarding but he tried none the less.
"Sir, why not just destroy your enemy?" Adams walked up, keeping his gun trained on the one who'd tried to kill him.
"Because I won't sink to that level. And I won't kill unless I have to." Catching a soft groan, he began to push again. "Crusaders, I will not order you to help an enemy, but I will ask for your help in freeing him..." Gritting his teeth and feeling it shift somewhat, he continued to strain and disregarded his own injuries, locking his ankle so it didn't give out on him. Turning his eyes somewhat desperately and watching as a few of the soldiers stepped forward and picked their way into the small cockpit, he nodded in appreciation at their help. "We won't know how badly he's injured until we get this off of him. We need to try this all at once. On my mark, 2, 1, mark..." It seemed to be the only true commands they understood, all five soldiers lifting and pushing the control panel upward. It moved, enough for Trowa to be freed, but he wasn't really moving or rebelling, still taking in short and shallow gasps.
"Sir, we can't keep holding it like this..." Straining to keep his ground on the tilted floor, Adams watched the strategic command officer.
"I know..."
"Sir, we can hold this if you can get him out quickly." Giving a small grin, the officer braced himself further.
"All right, when I get him out, let it down." Letting go of the heavy object, he quickly fumbled to undo the restraining harness that strapped the youth in the chair, catching sight of his blood-covered pant leg. He seemed to be just hanging onto consciousness. "03... Trowa, wake up. The battle is over and you're going to live whether you like it or not...." Pulling his limp form from the chair, Quatre nodded as the others let the panel fall, the machinary breaking free of its position on the floor and crashing into the chair. Laying the youth on the grass, he tried to wake him up again. "Trowa..."
Duo watched as Trowa's mobile suit was dropped from the sky, having seen the cockpit annihilated. Watching in dispair and fear, he was still trying to register that Quatre was alive, let alone that Quatre had just killed his own friend. "God no... what the hell did you do to my little buddy?!" Looking to his side as Heero was taken from the grass and placed in a jeep, Duo struggled but was forced to stay where he was. "Where the hell are you taking him?!"
"You're getting to be a real pain 02, cut the crap already. Unless you want him to bleed to death, we were given orders to follow all of Officer Winner's, and we're helping that brat as we were ordered. Just shut the hell up, you've caused enough trouble already."
Wufei was forced to the landing of the shuttle, finding Duo as his normal protective self, Heero bleeding and being transported back to the base, or so he guessed. He didn't know anything about Trowa and Quatre's battle, or why Quatre had turned against him. He should never have believed Une, the warrior knew it too.
Troubled emerald eyes fluttering open, the youth looked about himself. He wasn't in the cockpit anymore, but he could see a bright blue sky with soft whisps of clouds drifting lazily in the heavens. Trying to turn his head and finding that it only caused a sharp pain to shoot throughout his back and shoulders, the boy stopped his movements.
"Heero is being helped and the others have just been reported fine, and I won't lose any of my prisoners after working that hard to keep you alive. Let alone not to get you killed in that battle." Quatre forced himself to remain indifferent of their emotions as well as his, keeping focused on the tasks at hand. He had to, there were no two ways about it.
"W-why?" biting his tongue to stifle a cry, he forced the word to speak.
"Because I owe you at least that much..." Was all he replied. Quatre motioned for the oncoming jeep to be brought their way, the soldiers that were helping him already having exited the destroyed mobile suit and they were watching quietly. "We need to get him back to the base and to the medical wing as well. He's lost a good amount of blood and we're bringing back all the prisoners, alive. Private, undo these handcuffs, he won't struggle, he's too weak." Sitting back on his heals as the private did so, Quatre forgot about himself and focused on the boy before him.
Closing his eyes and taking in deeper breaths, Trowa felt his hands released of the cuffs before they were laid by his sides. Looking up and catching the once merciful, bright blue eyes of the youthful aristocrat, all he received was a small nod as he felt a hand clasp his own reassuringly.
~*~
Lady watched the battle, nodding in approval. Quatre had done as he saw fit, not only surprising and astounding his once fellow comrades, but brining them back alive and to their knees. They were devistated that he had turned against them, and now their spirits were truly broken. It couldn't have worked out any better. That, and all the men and women that had been sent after the escaped craft and suits were all brought back. The loss of the shuttle and the two virgos wasn't that great, barely even a minor problem, so the older woman didn't worry about that. Smirking as she headed toward the hangers, Lady Une wished to commend her soldiers for a job well done. A successful brinigng back of the prisoners who at most other times succeeded in escape. Not this time, and not again. Spotting the youth entering the hanger, pilots 02 and 05 walking behind while 01 and 03 had been taken straight to the medical wing, she smiled in approval. "A successful and complete mission, done with accuracy, no casualties after the true escape, and all prisoners accounted for. You've proven yourself, First Lieutenant Winner. You've shown great leadership, strength, courage, skill, and was willing to risk it all for your mission and to see that the safety of your fleet was of utmost importance. You now rank Captain, Officer Winner. If you keep going at this rate, you'll surpass me and I'll be forced to salute you..." Smiling and shaking the youth's hand in congratulations while his new comrades applauded, the Lieutenant Colonel noticed his still somewhat pale features and his unhappy expression. "Is something wrong Captain?"
A heavy sigh escaped his lips, his hand searching for the railing or anything to keep himself steady. Most of his weight was forced on his left leg, his right ankle paining him, now that the adrenaline rush was over, far beyond ignoring or bearing. "I am sorry Ma'am, I still do not feel well though." Trying to meet her gaze, he quickly caught Duo's grimace out of the corner of his eye, noticing as well, Wufei's discontent. Turning, he watched as the soldiers quieted their voices, seeing the one that was forcing Duo roughly stop hesitantly. "Soldier, I'll ask you not to force them in such manners. They are prisoners, I agree with that, but they are also people and they are just as prone to injuries as you and I. After that battle and each that they'd suffered in the immediate crash landing and in my bringing down the mobile suit, they both would have sustained injuries of their own." Turning back to his commanding officer, Quatre took in a deep breath and continued. "With your permission Ma'am, I believe that the prisoners should be examined for any injuries and treated for them, whether internal or external. Any in their exhausted state could be harmful and if we wish to keep the Gundam Pilots alive and in our custody, I believe it would be best."
Smirking, she nodded. "You have my permission, Captain. Private, Second Lieutenant, take both 02 and 05 to the hospital wing and tell the surgeons that they are to do a full scan of all four boys, treat any injuries they have, no matter how slight, and that when done they are taken back to their holding cell unless given other instructions."
"Yes Ma'am," they barked back in unison, saluting and taking both of the Gundam Pilots to the medical wing, yet with Quatre's gaze, they had a little more patience with the two boys.
Quatre watched as they left, catching Duo's disappointed, hurt, and distraught eyes as he passed by, Wufei avoiding him in total. Yet Quatre had his orders, and he made his own. He was following his own plans. They just had to see that and the sooner, the better. Turning from them and back to Une, he was dismissed to go back and rest in her chambers as he had been.
Lady called another soldier over, having him help Quatre back to her quarters. "If you still feel up to it Captain, you'd better eat something or at least try. I trust that if he requests so, you can help him Sanders?"
"Yes Ma'am," he called back, not barking his cresponse as they did because Quatre was right next to him.
~*~
Collapsing and laying on the bed without a care, the young Arabian closed his eyes and rubbed them with his palms. The looks on the others' faces were somewhat heartbreaking yet rather amusing. Especially for how strong they were supposed to be. Sighing deeply and raising his arms high into the air, he tried to disregard the waves of pain shooting throughout his leg. He knew he'd regret it at the time, he just didn't know how much he'd regret it.
"Do you need anything else Captain? As Ms Une proposed, possibly a warm meal that you haven't seemed to have eaten in days?" Smirking, the young officer, Sanders, stood with his hands behind his back.
"We're not around Lady Une, there's no need to be so formal. Just something to eat and possibly a tranquilizer."
"A tranquilizer? Why?"
"So I can sleep without the pain shooting through my leg. Either that, or just amputate the thing and don't worry about it. Which sounds like more fun?" Opening his eyes, Quatre forced himself to sit up as he took off his shoes, trying not to aggrivate his injured leg any further.
"The amputation, but Ms Un still might need you. How about some asperin?" Laughing softly, the subordinate officer relaxed.
"Or that..." Laying back on the pillows again, he closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. It was normal, but doing so helped to calm his body, and even his soul. It was still fighting with itself, but he had his plans all drawn out within his mind, and he would see them through. With a yawn, the youth slowly turned on his left side and pulled the blankets up over his shoulders, feeling the eyes of the other still on him, but that didn't matter.
"Are you just going to go ahead and fall asleep or do you really want something to eat?"
"If you could, I'll be awake and if I'm not, just wake me up..." Sighing and curling up a little underneath the blanket, he felt strangely cold for some reason. He knew that the room was warm, if not hot, but he was freezing.
"All right, I'll be back in a few minutes..." Laughing softly, he turned and left the room, turning the main light off on his way out and closing the door.
~*~
Grimacing and standing, the American youth tried not to take in too deep of breaths because of his ribs. The x-rays showed that he had two broken ribs and two more were bruised. That was great, just great! With wary eyes, the youth kept note of the doctor's every move, his every flinch. Duo didn't trust them, they didn't trust him. Everything was even. "What now?"
Shooting a glare at the youth, the doctor read through his scribbles and diagnosis, making sure he hadn't forgotten anything or Ms Une would surly have a fit. He really didn't need that right now. "Now you're done kid, you go back to wherever Une wants to put you."
Catching Wufei's gaze, they were both in the same room with a doctor and two escorts each, he gave a small nod. Trying to smile, the American youth felt his arms put back in the Godforsaken handcuffs. They didn't know anything about Heero or Trowa, the two more seriously injured pilots. Leaving with the escorts, the youth tried nothing for fear of losing his friends. What he knew now was worse than Quatre's "death", he was now their enemy. Most everyone's enemy, Duo still couldn't face him as such and would rather die by his hand than admit him anything other than a dear friend and brother. "Catch ya later Wufei man."
Wufei watched the youth leave, turning his instantly cold eyes back to the doctor before him. Une had to do this just to spite him, he was sure of it. His doctor was nothing more than a woman. By the looks of it, he had a fractured collar-bone, a sprained back, and some bruised ribs but nothing major. All that, and a headache that just helped to make things so much "better".
Glacing over her charts and the x-rays, the youthful female smirked under his intense gaze of loathing. So this was the proud Chang Wufei of the dragon clan. She actually enjoyed being in his presense, only because he hated it so. That was obvious in his eyes and reluctant movements. Looking up and laughing softly, she received a deadly glare and only nodded in approval. "Soldiers, he's done and fine, everything that needs to be tended to is done and he's healthy enough to return to his cell."
Gritting his teeth, Wufei put his arms out so that the restraints could be replaced, they weren't chancing it, especially with the others. Normally, he would have his arm in a sling or something to keep it from moving, but he didn't want one, need one, nor did they even suggest one. They were learning quickly. Following the escorts out the door, he walked quietly but rather stifly back to the cell, his back now bothering him even more than it ever had before.
Opening his eyes in reluctance, the Japanese youth gazed about himself and listened to the steady *beeping* of the heart monitor next to his bed. He was bound to the bed once more, the searing pain in his side dulled greatly, the one in his shoulder not really noticable until he moved it, and his energy having been given a good boost. Heero wasn't even sure he was going to live through Trowa's and Wufei's battle against Quatre. Quatre. His new enemy, and no longer his friend. That's why he believed it so wrong to accept his death, because he wasn't dead. Sighing deeply, the troubled youth closed his eyes and remained quiet, uncertain of how the others were doing but knowing that their escape was a total failure. Because of one he once called a friend, an actual friend. He just hoped that the others were all right and knew what he must do when he healed. Destroy his enemy and the base, then end the war.
Trowa remained in a subconscious state, not really conscious, nor unconscious. The pain had stopped and disappeared, yet he had not the energy to awaken. He'd suffered from loss of blood with the gunshot wound, a couple of bruised, lower ribs from the fall, and bruising to his lower abdomen, organs and muscle both, from the weight of the control panel. Luckily, he'd escaped concussion or a major injury, yet was monitored closely by the doctors as told by their commanding officer.
~*~
Sitting up reluctantly but not as unwillingly when the smell of the food drifted to his nose, Quatre gave a soft thank you before beginning to pick at his food. It didn't look all that bad for being army rations, it was more than he had had in a long time. Yet, something still didn't feel right and to add to it, he was still tired. "I must see my plans through..." Picking up a forkfull of his meal, he was yet to determine for sure what it was, he ate it slowly. It wasn't as bad as it looked, and surprisingly not worse either.
~*~
Lady sat in the control room, supervising all that was going on before her and just having time to think. She'd have to convince Quatre in full again that he was right, to join OZ. The look that he met Duo's with was one of regret and sorrow. It wouldn't be hard to sway him back from his uncertainty, she'd done it before. Even Trowa's words didn't seem to reach him, so there was no worrying about his friends trying to persuade him back.
"Ma'am?"
Pulling from her thoughts, Lady looked about herself to find that a youthful woman was waiting for her permission to speak. "Yes soldier?"
"Ma'am, the prisoners have been treated, 02 and 05 both being returned to their cell while 01 and 03 are being monitored by the doctors. Both have become stable and are resting now, they should be able to be put back in the cell in a little while. We were lucky enough that the didn't take the cargo ship, so we can still transport them onto the Galaxia Base. At least 02 and 05 if you wish."
Sighing and pursing her lips, Lady nodded. If all four of them were together, they were a real pain to try and handle. That, and escape was pretty much just waiting for them to try and snag. At least at that base, the Galaxia Base could hold them better. They had more for that and it was mainly a prisoner base. "We'll go ahead and transport them out of here tonight then, all four of them."
"Yes Ma'am." Saluting her commanding officer, the young woman left to inform the escorts and guards of the soldiers of the slight change in plans. Turning, she questioned again. "Ma'am? The shuttle is leaving in a few minutes, should they go on now or wait for the next shuttle that's still being loaded?"
A moment's hesitation was all she needed to think. "Now."
"Yes Ma'am."
~*~
"Heya man, heard anything yet?" Piping up at the entrance of his friend, Duo gave a small grin and a hopeful look to the warrior.
"Not yet Duo..." was all he replied, the Chinese youth sitting down painfully on the steps.
"You okay man?"
"I'll be fine..." Hearing the approaching footsteps, considering that Wufei's escorts had just left and dropped him off at the cell, the young man groaned. "What more do they want?"
Eyeing him wearily and nodding, Duo gave a half-hearted laugh. "Maybe to brag that this is the first time they've actually kept us from escaping. Then again, we did it under different circumstances, so we didn't do too bad this time."
"Under greatly different circumstances and they had an upper hand." Shaking his head and smirking sadly, the young dragon took a deep breath before releasing it, his mind still a whirlwind. He thought he'd cleared that up, but with the new information on Quatre, he was right back where he started.
"Go away, no one's home!" Duo called as the door was pushed open.
"Maybe not mentally, I'll agree with that. Get up kiddies, we're going for a ride..." Sneering, the soldier trained his gun on the smart-ass pilot, watching the two boys stands as three other soldiers stood behind him.
"Wow, you actually came prepared.... I call front!" Smirking, Duo masked his pain and devistation of Quatre's choice with a cocky attitude and a smile.
"Sorry, all kids ride in back. And if you dare to try anything, we'll gladly shoot the other two as punishment, and we're not bluffing this time." Nodding, he motioned for the other soldier to bring one of the prisoners forward.
"Heero!" Staying where he was when he caught his friend's glare, he watched the soldier force the boy to stand before the doorway. He was struggling to stay up and he wasn't really rebelling, his features depressed and exhausted, yet his glare still held it's hatred and loathing when he shot it at the soldiers.
"Like I said, don't try anything. 03 is already on the transport unit, and we can easily call the command to kill him as we shoot this sad bastard here. So, cut the crap and come on."
Taking in a sharp breath and wincing as he was shoved forward, Heero gritted his teeth and couldn't stop his small wince. All they'd pretty much done was decide that he was going to be transported whether awake or unconscious, found him awake, jerked him from the bed, and brought him down here. At least he knew that the others were all right, Duo and Wufei were right before him and he could see that he was fine, Trowa was already said to be on the transport unit and so that meant he was alive. By the sounds of it, he was weak and he only hoped that Trowa wasn't too badly injured. They'd make another escape attempt, though later. They didn't have the health to do it now, so they'd bide their time. Or maybe they could still overtake the transporter, they'd have to be extremely careful though. Groaning as the soldier gripped his shoulder firmly, though they seemed to be getting better at making it his uninjured shoulder, Heero shot back. "Watch what the hell you're doing... nrmph..."
Shoving the kid to spite him as he stumbled forward, the soldier kept his gun to the back of his head. "Just watch it or my finger might slip and pull the trigger."
"Slip, I'm sure." Hissing back, he watched the others and gave a faint but reassuring glace before watching them exit without trouble or fight.
"Take it easy buddy, we don't want anythin' happening to ya.." Gazing over at the stubborn Japanese pilot, they made their way to the hangers, only this time, they wouldn't escape. Not just yet. Duo didn't want to lose any friends as he'd sworn to himself before.
"Oh how sentimental," the fourth soldier called sarcastically. "Hurry up, we've got better things to do."
"And do what? Fight like children amongst yourselves and blame it on the war?" Sighing, Wufei felt the barrel of the gun thrust into his back in warning, the youth forcing himself not to wince or flinch.
~*~
Quatre watched over Trowa's form, sitting leaning his back against the inside of the shuttle. He had to finish his plans, now or never. This was his last and only chance. He'd told the rest of the shuttle's crew that Une had asked him to supervise the pilots. The Arabian youth was still tired and his ankle was still bothering him, though the asperin did help. "I owe you at least this much, I owe you all...." Speaking the words once more and just barely in a whisper, the youth watched as the others entered, turning his gaze from their stare.
Heero caught sight of the young platinum blonde and glared, his eyes cold. If they were to be enemies, then so be it. He'd betrayed them. Stifling a groan when he was shoved once more without warning, he felt himself fall to his knees while his legs gave out from under him.
"Heero, are you okay man?!" Duo kneeled by his side, still feeling the gun trained on him but they didn't stop him. And yet, that's all the American pilot did, was to kneel by his side and show concern, for he'd learned that Heero thought any help a weakness, at least in front of the enemy. That, and if he had the strength to do it himself, even if it meant using all he had at once, he'd do it.
Keeping silent, he only gave a small nod and turned his eyes from the youth before him to Trowa. He did seem weaker, greatly, and his pale form was still unmoving, but he was still alive none the less. Quatre's gaze seemed to catch his momentarily before it was thrown back to the ground his eyes averting. That was fine with Heero, though something still didn't seem right.
Taking in a deep breath, Quatre raised his eyes and looked past the three pilots, to the soldiers. "You're dismissed, I'll be supervising the prisoners as well as Private Sanders. He'll be along shortly. I was given strict orders by Lieutenant Colonel Une herself." Taking his gun into his hands and brushing his fingers softly over the deadly glint of the metal, he looked back up to catch their uncertainty as the soldiers stared at him. "They'll get to the next base alive and no worse than they are when they leave here, don't worry." Laughing softly, the others joined him as the nodded and left. They'd check the orders with Lady but by that time, they'd be gone.
Sitting with his back against the opposite wall, Heero watched as Duo neared him and Wufei tried to sit down stifly. "We're all fine now, that's enough to put my mind at ease somewhat..." Sighing softly, Heero closed his eyes and pulled his legs up closer to his body, his knees almost touching his chest. This was going to be one hell of a long capture.
"All prisoners and escorts are accounted for. We're ready to go." Yelling up to the pilots of the shuttle, Quatre kept his eyes on the others. Duo watched him warily and in curiosity, Heero had tensed at the statement but remained silent with his eyes closed, and Wufei just seemed to not even be listening. Watching the door shut and lock, Quatre kept his voice down and sat down next to the temporary, make-shift bed for the unconscious pilot. "Not glad to see me?"
"You are an enemy now, no concern of mine but to destroy my enemy, for they are those who try and kill me and take away my freedom." Heero stated, opening his eyes with a glare, keeping his Prussian eyes trained on the young aristocrat.
"Why'd you think we abandoned you man? Why'd you switch loyalties all of the sudden?" The questions had plagued his mind, his saddened eyes watching the boy before him. This just wasn't Quatre.
Wufei opened his eyes, keeping his trained on the other as well, wary of his every movement as the shuttle shuddered and took off beneath them.
Biting his lower lip and trying to force a smile, the youth spoke again. "Please don't look at me like that guys... you've got to learn to trust me more." Smirking, he stood and quickly undid Trowa's bindings when he was sure that they were out of the base and in the air. Striding over to the others, he held out his hands, the coldness and bitterness gone from his voice, the anger and frustration from his eyes. "You've got to have more trust in me than that, you're stuck with me for the rest of my life, so get used to it. OZ is too trusting for their own good..." Kneeling when none of the three moved but stared once more at him in amazement, he laughed softly and undid their handcuffs with a key that he'd taken. "There, just stay quiet and stay here. Watch Trowa, he's weak and vulnerable right now. I said we're getting to the next base and we are, Sally's." Standing, he stopped when he heard a voice pop up behind him and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Did I just miss something here?"
"I don't really know if either of us can answer that one Duo," Wufei spoke quietly.
"I said, I'll explain in a few minutes. But I've got something to do right now..." Trotting off to the cockpit, Quatre quickly knocked the two pilots out, the only other crew on the ship besides him, and took the controls long enough to put it on autopilot. Erasing the tracking programs from the electronic consul, he used the handcuffs from the others to place on the unconscious pilots. He wasn't going to kill them, they'd helped him and he owed OZ somewhat, besides he didn't delight in killing. Trotting back to the still shocked boys, he only laughed and shook his head, taking something from his pocket.
"What's that?" Wufei asked suspiciously.
"A detonator." Heero answered, smirking at seeing the familiar object.
"Who wants to see some fireworks? Please just turn to look out the window behind you at the base..." Smirking, he held the small detonator in his hand. "I owe them something for saving my life and for caring for me as they did, so I won't destroy the entire of the base but just put them out of commission." Clicking the button, he watched as well, the others smiling and Duo laughing at the explosion. He'd made sure that no one was in the hanger, but all the mobile suits had been located there, along with all their ammunition and any other weapons.
"Holy shit man! When the hell did this become you?!" Duo watched, laughing and turning back.
"Since I met you, but I've tried to keep a well-mannered and brought up nature. Do you still trust me or am I still your enemy?" Hopefuly speaking, Quatre watched the others. He knew he'd done a lot to them in such a short amount of time and he'd given them all the reasons in the world not to trust him. They might even believe now that this was a trick, but it wasn't.
"I never could see you as being an enemy. All's forgiven little buddy." Smiling and standing, he walked over to his friend, catching his wary glance and laughing. "You're pretty damn good at acting though, or I hope that was acting..."
"I'm sorry I had to. I wasn't even expecting your forgiveness, but at the time, I wasn't sure what to do." Lowering his eyes guiltily, Quatre turned from them and went to sit on the steps of the cargo bay/passenger area. "I don't expect your forgiveness nor your trust in return, Heero, Wufei. I just want you to know that I'm sorry for what I did but I had my reasons too. I don't even expect Trowa to, nor did I you, Duo."
Wufei looked at him, smirking. "And what makes you think you did anything wrong? You did what you had to do Quatre, and it's nothing to be ashamed of. You just scared the..."
"The living crap out of us! Dude, I swear, it was like watching Jesus rise from the grave or something and then when you fought, it was like watching Heero and I swear, I was so freaked out at that time man, I was..." Duo blurted in, rambling on an dgetting excited like a child.
"Duo, stop," was all the warrior replied with, his head still pounding.
Laughing softly, Quatre had two that looked past what he did enough to forgive him, yet Heero and Trowa were the last to reply and Heero was the only other conscious but he remained silent. "Thank you Wufei. I didn't mean to, but everything was just messed up at the time and I was continually lied to and frustrated without any answers. I woke up to find one of my best friends holding a gun pointed at me, thought I was going to die, and then everything was hazy until I woke up in what I thought was one of Sally's rooms. When you find it belonging to the enemy and are not only exhausted and worried with millions of questions flooding your mind, you tend to believe things you shouldn't. Like I almost believed what Lady Une had told me, that they'd found the cabin entrance dug open and me left alone to die inside. I couldn't remember and had to play OZ as best as I could, but I jumped to conclusions during that battle between Trowa and myself. The look on your faces, it almost seemed to say that I wasn't even supposed to be alive. I was angered with myself and with life at the time, and I took it out on those I cared most for. As for shooting you the two of you down Duo and Heero, that was for other reasons. I could feel your pain and weakness Heero, knowing that if you were let to escape, you wouldn't make it halfway to Sally's base, you wouldn't make it alive at all. And as for Trowa, I couldn't battle him and you Wufei, but I could feel him slipping too. I had to do something but make it believeable enough so that OZ would treat you at my recommendation. I didn't mean to hurt any of you, but it appears I did, and I couldn't be more sorry for it. And I should never have let my anger get the best of me."
Heero's gaze had softened when Quatre released him from the handcuffs and then destroyed the weaponry of OZ, but anyone could do that. Closing his eyes and keeping silent, the youth didn't let any of his emotion show. That had to be why it felt wrong to be angry with Quatre when he was, because Quatre was still on their side.
Standing to return to Trowa's side and make sure that he was still fairing well, a soft voice called to him from behind.
"As I was told and I've even informed you, the only way for a person to live a good life is to follow their emotions which you did. You've been forgiven, you have been. But you can never truly be forgiven until you forgive yourself Quatre. You did nothing wrong..." Heero watched his movements stop, catching his merciful and grateful eyes once more.
Smiling, the youth only nodded. "Thank you Heero." Kneeling and checking his friend's vitals and making sure that he wasn't contracting a fever, he stood and motioned for Duo to sit and watch over him. "The shuttle is on autopilot, but it can't be for too long. The tracking devises are all destroyed or shut off, the pilots held captive and will be sent back to OZ, and I think Sally's going to like having a few more "toys" around."
"The pilots are still alive? How're we gettin' 'em back to OZ? And why would we want to?" Duo questioned, taking a seat on the floor next to Trowa's side.
"I owe them as well, not only have they saved my life and taken care of me while I was ill and injured, but they treated me like a normal person. Just for being OZ, that's a big improvement. I owe them something for their mercy and I won't destroy those soldiers, and not anymore until the next battle. I will try and spare as many lives as I can as well, I won't take a life if I don't have to." Nodding to Duo, he climbed the steps but stopped at another question. Shifting his weight to his left leg, the youth listened.
"Uh, sorry to keep buggin' ya man, but you know what's on here, right? Is there any food or rations on here or anything?" Eyeing him hopefully, the youth cursed softly at receiving a soft shake of the head.
Smirking and chuckling softly, Quatre replied. "Sorry Duo, this is a cargo shuttle. We'll be at Sally's in no time. Don't worry, it's only about another hour."
"Hour?!"
Laughing and turning, he nodded. "Yes, considering where we were. You should all try and rest..." Smiling happily and taking a deep breath, the youth made his way to the cockpit.
A/N: Oh, aren't I evil? ~smirks~ I like these stories, not only did I play with the characters' minds, but yours too! ~laughs and hides from everyone, taking shelter in Trowa's gundam~ Besides, I couldn't let my favorite character die, poor Trowa, I torture him and the others so much. Hope you like this, it's finished! If you've still got questions, I can write up a short epilogue. For those reading Strength of Friendship, and if you haven't found it out yet, Chapter 13, Life's Lessons is up. It has been. Chapter 14 is the end, but I never saw the end in my dream, where this story originated... ~glares at sisters~ because someone had to wake me up! So I'm working on it, and the next chapter for Heaven's Angel is like- halfway done. Thanks for all of my reviewers and reviews! This is the story that most seemed to like and I almost broke 80 reviews! Well, since I last checked. I was hoping it'd break 100 but I'd be happy with 1. Thanks all soooo much for sticking with this, oh, this is THIS ending! There's going to be an alternate ending for those who chose ending #1. I'm startin' a couple new stories too, now just to upload "A Smile Covers All". ~wonders off, looking for the disk~ Please review and thank you, thank you, thank you soooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!! ~hugs all~
