Chapter 10

Once In A Blue Moon

Kiano's crying had dampened Bit and Jamie's spirits the entire trip back to the base, on Earth. Not one word was spoken. It seemed to be too much of a shock to them all that they actually managed to do it. Bit wanted to mention that without Brad that they'll lose every future Zoid battle, but he kept his mouth shut for Kiano's sake. He realised a second later that he really didn't care either way, he just a bad feeling in his stomach.

Jamie wanted to say something, afraid to cause more tears and aggravation, so he also kept quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the soft sobbing coming from the right back corner.

Kiano felt too bad to even say a thing. She'd lost another person she loved very much to the Space Military Commission once again, and there was no way for her to stop it, again. She felt as if it was all her fault. The death of Duo and of Brad. She shoved her head between her knees, which she pulled up onto the chair, and continued crying.

As the ship came to a considerate landing in front of the Toros base, Bit sluggishly lifted himself up and turned around.

He sighed, and walked over to her, taking her arm.

'Come on. Let's go inside'

Kiano shook him off angrily, and Bit immediately headed outside, not trying any further to force her to do what she didn't want.

Jamie was still seated there looking at her. He felt really bad, as he also got up. He forced himself to leave Kiano by herself and follow Bit back inside the base.

They had just reached the hangar door, when Kiano stumbled out of the ship, her hand over her face. Looking up slowly, she noticed both of them standing there staring at her. Her face was red, and there were streams where the tears had been running down her face, but they still dripped onto the ground.

She frowned, and pointed to them.

'What are you doing!?' She yelled at them angrily, stopping occasionally to catch her breath, 'You go and destroy Brad, and just go to bed!!? Don't you even care about what's happened!!? I knew that you were the most vulgar boys I've met!!'

Bit ran over in a huff, and seized her by her shoulder as she tried to run away from him.

'Listen!!' He snapped, 'We're just as upset as you are!! Is it essential for us to show it!!? We're guys!! Give us a break!!'

Kiano cried harder, and furiously pulled herself out of his grip.

'YOU'RE A F***ING LIAR!! YOU'RE ALL F***ING LIARS!!!' She screamed, turning and running out to the spot where she had been found the first time.

Jamie headed past Bit, and he grabbed him.

'Let her go. She needs to cool down'

Kiano kept running, when she stopped to catch her breath. She looked around, and the slight wind whipped the hair over her face. More and more tears continued to run down her face and hit the dirt. She clambered up the rock that Brad sat on when she found him and lay down. Burying her face in her hands, she continued to cry, before flipping onto her back. Up in the sky she watched for five minutes as millions and millions of pieces of debris shot down towards the earth, burning up in the atmosphere, making them look like shooting stars.

She shook her head, and wiped her eyes with her sleeve and sitting up quickly. She clenched her fists, appearing to get angry. Looking up at the sky she, opened her mouth to scream.

'I HATE YOU ALL!! F**K YOU ALL!! YOU BETRAYED ME!!'

The wind blew stronger, and she pushed herself to her feet, still looking up.

'I'LL GET REVENGE!! I SWEAR! F**K SPACE!! F**K YOU EQUEUS COLONY!! I'LL GET REVENGE ON YOU FOR DOING THIS!! YOU BETRAYED THE GUNDAMS!! YOU BETRAYED ME!! YOU BETRAYED DUO AND BRAD!! YOU WILL PAY!! I SWEAR, YOU WILL PAY!! DON'T YOU F**KING FORGET THAT!! I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU!! I HATE YOU!!!!'

She stopped to take a breath and stared up into space, a single tear rushing down her cheek.

From the distance, Bit and Jamie came running over, after hearing her screaming.

'Kiano!!' They were yelling, 'Are you okay!!?'

She looked over and frowned.

'GO AWAY!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!'

Bit and Jamie glanced at each other and looked up. There was a rather large piece of debris looming on them as Kiano stared up at it. She jumped off the rock, still staring up.

'What the heck it that!!?' Bit cried.

Jamie squinted.

'Well, it looks like a ship…'

Their eyes widened and turned to run at the same time. Bit stopped and looked back.

'KIANO!! GET OUTTA THERE!!'

Kiano nodded quickly and took off after them.

The ship was faster than they suspected and it took it's landing in front of the rock. It looked very scorched and was smoking at all outlets. Nothing happened and Kiano was the only one to stop and look back.

Bit stopped Jamie, and grabbed Kiano's shoulder.

'Come on!'

'Wait' Kiano ordered.

There was an idle silence as the ship sat there. Kiano approached it slowly, Bit and Jamie gradually following.

'Please don't be Jack, please don't be Jack, please don't be Jack…' She whispered constantly to herself.

She took one more step and a loud hissing noise erupted, as the ramp came down. The three of them got ready to bolt at the slightest danger. Bit stepped in front of her, to shield her, ready to attack whoever it was that emerged. Kiano looked around him, and the door slid open. The ton of smoke covering the doorway, showed nothing.

'Oh crap! It's a ghost!' Bit trembled, and Jamie shushed him.

There was a loud coughing that was coming from inside, and someone stumbled out into the darkness.

'Show yourself!! Jack Sisco!!'

The person lurched forwards, brushing his clothes down.

Kiano squinted into the darkness, and shook her head in almost fright.

The person coughed again and laughed at the same time. Bit frowned and looked at Jamie. The person grabbed Bit's fist, which were out in front of him, still coughing. Bit looked up.

'Didn't I ever tell you not to flail your fists around like that, Bit?'

A huge smile appeared on Bit's face and he hugged him. Kiano sighed and jumped up, a huge grin now on her face. She pushed Bit out of the way and hugged the person instead.

'BRAD!! I thought that you were dead!!' She sobbed happily, as Brad rubbed her back.

Jamie shook his head, now smiling as well.

'You sly fox! You had a plan all along!'

Brad tilted his head at him, not saying a word.

'By the way Bit; nice driving'

Kiano looked up.

'But you couldn't have seen us escape'

'I didn't. The ship's in one piece' He replied, pointing over in the distance at it, 'So I'm assuming that he did well'

Kiano smiled, and Brad smiled back, as he pushed her away.

'He did'

Jamie place his hand on Brad's shoulder.

'How'd did you manage to get out of there so quickly?'

'There was a map in the vault'

They looked at each other and shook their heads.

'You could have been killed!' Bit told him.

'We almost did get killed, but we managed to get through, with about five seconds to spare'

'What do you mean, we?' Jamie asked.

Brad smiled at Kiano.

'Holy shit' Bit said, and they all looked at him.

'What?' Brad replied.

'You saved Eli didn't you!!? No, no……..lemme guess……YOU SAVED JACK!! PLEASE DON'T TELL ME YOU SAVED JACK!!'

'Maybe'

Kiano's happy face was wiped away along with Bit and Jamie.

'You're kidding, aren't you?' She started, hoping to be right.

Brad was still smiling.

'What!? Why are you smiling! It's not funny!' Bit snapped.

'Why did you do that?' Kiano continued, as Brad still stared, smiling at her, 'Bit's right. It's not funny. He's not normal. He belonged in that blast'

'You don't want him to hear you say that' Brad insisted, pointing to the door in the darkness behind him.

Kiano stared back at him, looking rather angry. He stepped forward, and held out his hand, and she turned to walk away.

'I wouldn't walk away, Kiano. He wants to see you'

'Screw you, Brad. You know that I hate him'

Brad went after her, stopping her immediately.

'Just listen to me. You don't hate him'

A tear ran down her cheek, and she pulled herself from his grip.

'Leave me alone'

'I ran into him when I was going to the hangar' He began, Kiano trying not to listen, her back facing him, 'And I'm telling you now, he wants to talk to you. He wants to see you'

'Oh, really? And why should I agree, Brad?' She replied angrily.

He stared at her for a second in silence, and smiled.

'Because if I'm right, he's funny, smart, brave, strong, and loyal'

'Bullshit'

'Oh, and he has….blue eyes….' He continued, Kiano turning around, now listening, 'And long brown hair'

She stared up at him.

'You're not funny Brad. Jack could never be Duo'

Brad leant over and whispered in her ear.

'I never said that it was Jack…'

Kiano's eyes widened, and she raised a hand to slap him in the side of the face.

'Stop it!! You know that's not funny'

'I'm not laughing'

Bit and Jamie jumped at the sound of a sudden clunk of metal inside the ship, and they bolted behind Brad and Kiano.

'Who is it Brad?' Kiano demanded.

He placed his hand on her back, and pushed her forward, to go there herself.

'What are you doing!? That's Jack Sisco!' Bit cried.

'No it's not. How do you think I got here. I have no idea how to start these things up'

'But…but…how'

Kiano approached the door slowly and cautiously, knowing that Brad was playing a trick on her. Another large clunk of metal came from inside and feet shuffled, as there was an idle silence. She took a deep breath and stopped. From out of the darkness, stumbling and wiping their forehead came a person. They stopped and looked over to Kiano. She was getting terribly nervous and took a large gulp. The person sighed.

'I see you haven't changed, Kiano Maxwell'

Kiano's ears pricked up and a tear streamed down her face. She began taking deep breaths, and shook her head hard. Immediately she ran up the ramp and gave Duo the biggest hug and kiss she had ever given him in her lifetime. Brad, Bit and Jamie came up behind them.

'Holy shit!' Bit snapped, 'Jamie!! I'm seeing dead people!! Help me!!'

Brad slapped him in the back of the head.

Kiano continued to cry, but for once, Brad was finally seeing her cry with happiness. He even noticed a few tears running down Duo's face.

'Thank god you're okay!' He was saying,

'I couldn't live without you' Kiano replied, smothering her face in his shoulder.

Duo held her closer, and ran his fingers through her hair. Brad, Jamie and Bit watched them.

'I love you' Duo sobbed.

'God, I love you more' Kiano replied, kissing him on the cheek.

Bit coughed loudly and Kiano looked up at Duo.

'How??'

He smiled back and took a deep breath to calm down. He wiped the tears out of his eyes, and started.

'It's a long story'

'Tell us' Brad insisted curiously.

'Alright, well…On a night about two days before the execution, when they came in to take you to another cell, you were asleep. Two of them came in to carry you out, and I had only just woken up as the first guard had left. I tried to stop him, but the second guard stopped me. Luckily, Jack came in at that moment, just as he does, to inform me that you won't be with me for the last day. I was so angry that I jumped him from behind the minute he turned to leave the cell. I managed to rip off his Transposer before the guard pulled me off him. I quickly shoved it in my pocket so that he wouldn't notice, and being the total gullible bastard that he is, he didn't. The second guard was the last to leave, but by then, Jack was already long gone. It was the guards mistake to stay there with me, oh yes. I attacked him. Pummelled him almost to death, and shoved the Transposer down his throat, as it was set to turn into…well me. He was an perfect me match, and the door was wide open, so I made a run for it and slammed the door behind me. Since then, I've been hiding there, waiting for the perfect chance to get outta there. When the alarms went off today, I thought it might have been Wufei or Heero to come a get you, so I tried to get out while everyone was running around. Fortunately I ran into Brad here, and well….I'm back'

'Wow, that was quite a feat' Brad sighed, looking down at Kiano.

She was staring up at Duo a smile on her face.

'I'm so proud of you!' She cried, kissing him again.

Brad, Bit and Jamie turned away, now looking around.

Duo pushed Kiano away from him, slowly walking over to Brad.

'Thanks pal! Couldn't have done it without you!' He said happily, holding out his hand for him to shake.

Brad looked down at it and looked up at Duo.

'No, problem' He said, not smiling or making an effort to look happy.

Duo took a deep breath of fresh air, and glanced around.

'Man, it's good to be back on safe grounds'

Kiano came up beside him and took his hand.

'You have a son' She said softly.

Duo smiled at her.

'Kovu?' He asked, and she nodded.

They hugged once more.

Jamie and Bit looked at each other.

'Hmmm….does this seem like a happy ending to you??'

Jamie nodded, and Bit shook his head.

'Damn happy endings!'

They looked over at Brad, who was standing silently, watching Kiano and Duo.

'Then again. It's not happy for all of us'

Brad sighed and turned back to the two of them.

'What?' He asked.

'She's happy'

Brad nodded and sighed again.

'I suppose'

Jamie glared up at him.

'Brad, you can't tell me that you've ever seen her happier than that'

'No, but that doesn't involve me'

Bit shoved Jamie out of the way and slapped Brad on the shoulder.

'Hey, you should be happy that she's happy! Plus, you're still Kovu's godfather'

He looked to him and a small smile appeared on his face, beginning to walk over to Kiano and Duo.

'Hey, do you think that you'll go back to the colony?' He asked them.

They glanced at each other and Kiano shook her head hard.

'Zoid battles are fun! I'm staying here! I can't leave my Rev Raptor behind!' She let go of Duo's hand and threw her arms around Brad, 'And I can't leave you behind'

They pulled away and Brad smiled at her.

'Good. I'll make sure to tell Doc'

'If she stays, I stay' Duo demanded, and Brad rubbed his head.

'Alright, you can be an official member of the Blitz Team' He grinned.

Kiano and Duo gave each other high fives and Brad turned to Bit and Jamie. He rubbed his hands together and pointed to the Gunsniper in the pile in front of the hangar.

'Guess what we have to do, Jamie!'

Before Jamie had the chance to speak, a vehicle drove in and screeched to a halt in front of them. The dust settled and Doctor Toros and Leena Toros stood up.

'Uh, oh' Jamie mumbled.

'WE'RE BACK!!' Leena, the short red haired, seventeen year old cried, leaping out of the jeep.

'DID YOU MISS US!!?' Doc yelled, dragging a heavy looking suitcase out with him.

Jamie and Bit stared at each other, an awfully terrified expression on Bit's face.

'Uh…yeah' Brad replied, coming over and helping Doc with the baggage.

Leena bounced happily over to Bit and Jamie, not noticing Duo and Kiano standing in her path.

'BIT!' She wailed, throwing her arms around him and giving him a big hug, 'You missed me didn't you!'

'Yes Leena…..very much' He said, pulling her off quickly.

She turned to Jamie and he raised his hands in front of him nervously.

'Hey ya Leena! I missed you too!'

She smiled and turned around, now noticing Duo and Kiano.

'Who are you two?' She asked, quite rudely.

'That's Kiano and Duo. The new Blitz Team members'

'What! Since when do you get to choose new team members!?' Leena bellowed, storming over to Brad and Doc.

Doc stared at Brad and he glanced around.

'What!? Duo's a Gundam pilot!' He told him, pointing to him.

'Yeah, and I'm the king of the galaxy!' Doc laughed.

Bit, Jamie and Brad stared at him, feeling great to know something more important than him for once.

Leena began strolling towards the base, when she stopped directly in her path, a security floodlight flashing on revealing the pile that was the Gunsniper. Bit nervously searched for a means of escape, a drop of sweat dripping down his forehead.

'Get me outta here' He whispered to Jamie, but Jamie just ignored him.

Leena turned back, looking terribly furious.

'BBIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

Duo, Kiano, Brad, Jamie and Doc glanced over at Bit. He smiled slightly and waved his hand.

'Uh….about that…'

'Why does she think that Bit did it?' Kiano whispered to Brad.

'She blames everything on Bit'

'If you'll excuse me….' Bit coughed, and tuned to run as fast as he could.

Leena bolted directly after Bit, snatching up a suitcase, and almost knocking over Jamie in the progress.

'GET BACK HERE YOU LOSER!!! YOU'LL PAY FOR DOING THIS TO MY GUNSNIPER!!!!'

'I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING THIS TIME!!!'

'That'd be right!' Brad snapped, making everyone burst out into laughter, as Leena tossed her suitcase at Bit, clothes flying everywhere.

THE END……

YOU WISH……