1 April AC 197
The heat was unbearable. It felt as if his clothes would melt to his skin.
A beam broke and fell in front of him. He used his axe to get through it. The flames danced seductively luring him deeper into the inferno. A child's voice could be heard. He followed it. There he was!
A little boy no more than 4 was crouched in a corner staring fearfully at the fire licking up the draperies.
"Hey kid!" Heero yelled praying that his voice wouldn't be lost in the roar of the flames.
The child looked up. His sooty face mirrored relief as he was scooped up in the arms of the fireman. Heero looked behind him. The way he had come was now blocked by the twisty spirals of light. He looked at the window. 'Uh I hate it when I have to do this. Always gets the damn news team on my butt.
He looked down at the child. Two dusty tracks down his face bore witness to the fact he was crying. "Just hold on" Heero told the child reassuringly. '1....2....3..' he counted mentally and leapt out the window. He heard the little boy shout and cling to him. The sensation of falling brought back a memory from the past.
Only this time, if he had a parachute, he wouldn't need Relena to get him to open it. He long since learned the value of a human life. It was the value of his own he was working on now. He grabbed blindly for a handhold, anything to keep them from becoming pancakes. One of the fire escapes brushed by Heero's hand.
He grabbed onto it with a death grip, tightening his hold on the little boy. He hung about five stories up by one hand. If it weren't for his training he'd have probably blacked out by now.
The fire department sent up a ladder. Heero climbed down it with great ease despite the extra weight in his left arm. He gave the little boy to an ambulance attendant.
"He may have some lung damage after being exposed to the smoke for so long", Heero told her.
The attendant nodded. He turned around and came face to face with the rather large Fire captain.
"YUY! IF YOU EVER TRY SUCH A STUPID STUNT AGAIN I SWEAR I'LL HAVE YOU ASS FOR DINNER!!" he bellowed at the top of his lungs.
Heero showed no reaction to this little hissy fit outside but inside he really wanted to give the guy a what for. If he hadn't done what he had then both he AND the boy would've died. He didn't do it to show off, he did it to save lives!
But of course, he didn't say this. It would just draw attention to him and that's NOT what he needed right now.
"Understood sir" Heero replied dutifully.
"You're dismissed!" The chief spat out as he turned around to make his fury known to another unsuspecting firefighter.
Heero sighed and looked behind him. The reporters were swarming ready to surround him. It was time he got going.
Heero went back to the fire department and changed out of his uniform to his normal jeans and tank top. He jogged down the street to the local pub, which is where he was meeting his long-standing ally and friend Duo Maxwell. He walked in letting the door close behind him.
"Hey Heero!" He heard a familiar voice call from the corner of the restaurant area. He walked over to Duo and sat down in a booth seat.
That's what he liked about places like this. All the seats were booth's and it was almost always dark and loud. A perfect place if you don't want to be noticed.
Duo grinned at him before speaking
"So whatcha been up to? You gotta job or are you still living on the edge?"
"I'm a firefighter actually." A momentary look of surprise passed Duo's face before he comfortably accepted it.
" Huh," Duo said " I always assumed that you'd be some sort of computer genius once you settled down a bit." The ever present grin lit up his face once more. "So why did you decide to become a firefighter?
"It was more inconspicuous than a computer genius."
At this remark Duo started cracking up making Heero smile a bit. At first he hadn't been sure about meeting Duo here. It had been a long time since he last saw him… well actually he hadn't seen him since the Mariemaia incident, and he had expected that things would be strained and awkward.
Obviously he had forgotten what Duo was like. And surprise of surprises, it actually felt NICE being able to talk to someone about your life. 'I guess this means your beginning to lighten up', Heero thought, almost as if he were talking to himself. 'Of course, you still carry your gun and you still hon your reflexes every chance you get. But hey, it's a start.' He leaned back into his seat watching as Duo regained control.
"So," Duo was back at it. "Why all the need for secrecy? It's been a year and a half since the war and the last really big thing that happened was the Mariemaia incident and that was over four months ago."
Heero looked at him calmly.
"I guess I just take a little more time than most."
Duo nodded understanding exactly what he meant.
" So how are you doing, Duo? Are things with Hilde going ok? Heero asked surprising himself.
Heero realized that if Duo had called him up a year ago to do this he would have never agreed. It's funny how having a somewhat normal life could alter one's disposition so drastically. He looked at Duo noticing the serious expression that had come over his face.
" To be honest, Heero, I think I'm in love with her."
The statement didn't shock Heero in the slightest. Even someone as blind as he, could see that Hilde and Duo would not stay friends forever. He stayed silent waiting for his friend to go on. He wasn't disappointed.
" When I went into business with her I was prepared for everything. Bankruptcy, dizzying success, everything. I never thought I'd fall for my partner." He let out a helpless little laugh. "But I guess I'm no worse than you with Relena."
Heero gave him a little glare from underneath his bangs to show that the topic was NOT open for discussion.
"So what'll you have?" The waitress had come. They ordered and talked and had, generally, a very pleasant night out.
*********
The screams pierced her ears. It took her a moment to realize that they were her own. She sat up in her bed heart thumping tears streaming down her face, gasping for breath.
'Oh god another nightmare.' She shook her head trying to clear the images of her burning kingdom from her mind.
She had always told herself that she did what she had to. Apparently her unconscious had it's own opinion. The room seemed to be closing in on her, her guilt and loneliness threatened to swallow her up.
'I need to get out of here', she thought frantically. She pulled on some clothes and brushed her hair and then was out the door to go on a walk.
What she didn't realize is that she was trying to run away from her demons. She shut the door to the hotel room quietly. She'd be tired at the peace conference tomorrow, but she didn't care. All she wanted to do was escape.
**************
Heero stood at the edge of the bridge looking into the shimmering water letting his mind wander. He didn't know why but whenever he wanted to think he always came here. It was always so peaceful. Not to mention beautiful. Dinner tonight had been…dare he say it…fun.
It was good to finally have some human contact. He watched as the light from the moon reflect off ripples in the water. That's when he heard approaching footsteps.
Out of instinct he concealed himself in the shadows.
********
Relena approached the bridge. Why had she come here of all places? The thought was discarded as she approached the edge.
She looked down into the depths of the swirling current. She wished that water would envelope her. She wished there was someway to make her heartbreak and emptiness and pain go away.
The tears she was unwilling to shed stung her eyes. A few managed to spill out. She wiped them away furiously. No one. She had no one. Her brother had disappeared again. He probably didn't want to have to shoulder the burden of a younger sister anymore.
Pagan had passed away less than two months ago. Her one anchor was gone. She didn't hire another butler in his place. Honestly she could take care of herself but Pagan seemed to enjoy doing that for her. Besides, whenever he was around the world wasn't quite so miserable.
But now it was all different. Everyone she had ever needed or loved …gone. Everyone who had ever needed or loved her…gone. What was the point of even being here when everyone she wanted to be with wasn't? Why did she even bother to stay on the mortal plane?
She looked at the water. It wasn't really a long way down. But there was always the current. She was scared. But she'd do it. She got up and stood on the rail. They'd find her body eventually. People that didn't even know her would be sad but they wouldn't cry. Life would go on and she'd be where she wanted to be…gone. She took a deep breath. It was time to put an end to her misery.
**************
The heat was unbearable. It felt as if his clothes would melt to his skin.
A beam broke and fell in front of him. He used his axe to get through it. The flames danced seductively luring him deeper into the inferno. A child's voice could be heard. He followed it. There he was!
A little boy no more than 4 was crouched in a corner staring fearfully at the fire licking up the draperies.
"Hey kid!" Heero yelled praying that his voice wouldn't be lost in the roar of the flames.
The child looked up. His sooty face mirrored relief as he was scooped up in the arms of the fireman. Heero looked behind him. The way he had come was now blocked by the twisty spirals of light. He looked at the window. 'Uh I hate it when I have to do this. Always gets the damn news team on my butt.
He looked down at the child. Two dusty tracks down his face bore witness to the fact he was crying. "Just hold on" Heero told the child reassuringly. '1....2....3..' he counted mentally and leapt out the window. He heard the little boy shout and cling to him. The sensation of falling brought back a memory from the past.
Only this time, if he had a parachute, he wouldn't need Relena to get him to open it. He long since learned the value of a human life. It was the value of his own he was working on now. He grabbed blindly for a handhold, anything to keep them from becoming pancakes. One of the fire escapes brushed by Heero's hand.
He grabbed onto it with a death grip, tightening his hold on the little boy. He hung about five stories up by one hand. If it weren't for his training he'd have probably blacked out by now.
The fire department sent up a ladder. Heero climbed down it with great ease despite the extra weight in his left arm. He gave the little boy to an ambulance attendant.
"He may have some lung damage after being exposed to the smoke for so long", Heero told her.
The attendant nodded. He turned around and came face to face with the rather large Fire captain.
"YUY! IF YOU EVER TRY SUCH A STUPID STUNT AGAIN I SWEAR I'LL HAVE YOU ASS FOR DINNER!!" he bellowed at the top of his lungs.
Heero showed no reaction to this little hissy fit outside but inside he really wanted to give the guy a what for. If he hadn't done what he had then both he AND the boy would've died. He didn't do it to show off, he did it to save lives!
But of course, he didn't say this. It would just draw attention to him and that's NOT what he needed right now.
"Understood sir" Heero replied dutifully.
"You're dismissed!" The chief spat out as he turned around to make his fury known to another unsuspecting firefighter.
Heero sighed and looked behind him. The reporters were swarming ready to surround him. It was time he got going.
Heero went back to the fire department and changed out of his uniform to his normal jeans and tank top. He jogged down the street to the local pub, which is where he was meeting his long-standing ally and friend Duo Maxwell. He walked in letting the door close behind him.
"Hey Heero!" He heard a familiar voice call from the corner of the restaurant area. He walked over to Duo and sat down in a booth seat.
That's what he liked about places like this. All the seats were booth's and it was almost always dark and loud. A perfect place if you don't want to be noticed.
Duo grinned at him before speaking
"So whatcha been up to? You gotta job or are you still living on the edge?"
"I'm a firefighter actually." A momentary look of surprise passed Duo's face before he comfortably accepted it.
" Huh," Duo said " I always assumed that you'd be some sort of computer genius once you settled down a bit." The ever present grin lit up his face once more. "So why did you decide to become a firefighter?
"It was more inconspicuous than a computer genius."
At this remark Duo started cracking up making Heero smile a bit. At first he hadn't been sure about meeting Duo here. It had been a long time since he last saw him… well actually he hadn't seen him since the Mariemaia incident, and he had expected that things would be strained and awkward.
Obviously he had forgotten what Duo was like. And surprise of surprises, it actually felt NICE being able to talk to someone about your life. 'I guess this means your beginning to lighten up', Heero thought, almost as if he were talking to himself. 'Of course, you still carry your gun and you still hon your reflexes every chance you get. But hey, it's a start.' He leaned back into his seat watching as Duo regained control.
"So," Duo was back at it. "Why all the need for secrecy? It's been a year and a half since the war and the last really big thing that happened was the Mariemaia incident and that was over four months ago."
Heero looked at him calmly.
"I guess I just take a little more time than most."
Duo nodded understanding exactly what he meant.
" So how are you doing, Duo? Are things with Hilde going ok? Heero asked surprising himself.
Heero realized that if Duo had called him up a year ago to do this he would have never agreed. It's funny how having a somewhat normal life could alter one's disposition so drastically. He looked at Duo noticing the serious expression that had come over his face.
" To be honest, Heero, I think I'm in love with her."
The statement didn't shock Heero in the slightest. Even someone as blind as he, could see that Hilde and Duo would not stay friends forever. He stayed silent waiting for his friend to go on. He wasn't disappointed.
" When I went into business with her I was prepared for everything. Bankruptcy, dizzying success, everything. I never thought I'd fall for my partner." He let out a helpless little laugh. "But I guess I'm no worse than you with Relena."
Heero gave him a little glare from underneath his bangs to show that the topic was NOT open for discussion.
"So what'll you have?" The waitress had come. They ordered and talked and had, generally, a very pleasant night out.
*********
The screams pierced her ears. It took her a moment to realize that they were her own. She sat up in her bed heart thumping tears streaming down her face, gasping for breath.
'Oh god another nightmare.' She shook her head trying to clear the images of her burning kingdom from her mind.
She had always told herself that she did what she had to. Apparently her unconscious had it's own opinion. The room seemed to be closing in on her, her guilt and loneliness threatened to swallow her up.
'I need to get out of here', she thought frantically. She pulled on some clothes and brushed her hair and then was out the door to go on a walk.
What she didn't realize is that she was trying to run away from her demons. She shut the door to the hotel room quietly. She'd be tired at the peace conference tomorrow, but she didn't care. All she wanted to do was escape.
**************
Heero stood at the edge of the bridge looking into the shimmering water letting his mind wander. He didn't know why but whenever he wanted to think he always came here. It was always so peaceful. Not to mention beautiful. Dinner tonight had been…dare he say it…fun.
It was good to finally have some human contact. He watched as the light from the moon reflect off ripples in the water. That's when he heard approaching footsteps.
Out of instinct he concealed himself in the shadows.
********
Relena approached the bridge. Why had she come here of all places? The thought was discarded as she approached the edge.
She looked down into the depths of the swirling current. She wished that water would envelope her. She wished there was someway to make her heartbreak and emptiness and pain go away.
The tears she was unwilling to shed stung her eyes. A few managed to spill out. She wiped them away furiously. No one. She had no one. Her brother had disappeared again. He probably didn't want to have to shoulder the burden of a younger sister anymore.
Pagan had passed away less than two months ago. Her one anchor was gone. She didn't hire another butler in his place. Honestly she could take care of herself but Pagan seemed to enjoy doing that for her. Besides, whenever he was around the world wasn't quite so miserable.
But now it was all different. Everyone she had ever needed or loved …gone. Everyone who had ever needed or loved her…gone. What was the point of even being here when everyone she wanted to be with wasn't? Why did she even bother to stay on the mortal plane?
She looked at the water. It wasn't really a long way down. But there was always the current. She was scared. But she'd do it. She got up and stood on the rail. They'd find her body eventually. People that didn't even know her would be sad but they wouldn't cry. Life would go on and she'd be where she wanted to be…gone. She took a deep breath. It was time to put an end to her misery.
**************
