Behold!: This chapter is a pathetic attempt at something remotely similar to drama.

DISCLAIMER: Same old, same old.

Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Anonymous

Chapter XVIII: The Web

Chico sighed and looked down at his hands. He was still worried about Gina. And having this Bo along hadn't helped anything. How was he supposed to retrieve his sister when all he was doing was listening to some ten-year-old kid babble on and on about only god knew what? I need to do something, Chico decided and clenched his hands into fists. I need to do something NOW… I need to see Gina.

"I'm going out," the distressed Neo-Mexican muttered to anyone who was there to listen.

"Where to?" Tio asked, looking up from the television screen.

Chico shrugged. "Out," he said evasively and left the room, jacket flying out behind him.

Tio sighed and shook his head. "That boy is going to be the end of me."

"No," Bo disagreed as he popped up from underneath the bed. "I am."

*******************************************

Gina groaned and blinked. All she could see was black, darkness. She blinked again, and this time a terrifying view of the Dark Gundam came into view, with the real Gina Rodriguez standing weakly, the only thing keeping her on her feet there silver vines that accompanied any servant of the Dark Gundam. Gina shook her head in fright and tried to banish the disturbing image from her mind's eye. She blinked one more time, and now a blur of blue, pink, and green appeared before her. Slowly, the picture became clearer.

Chibodee was leaning above her, deep concern etched into every line on his face. Gina smiled weakly at the sight. "Gina, what happened?" Chibodee asked softly, running a hand gently along Gina's cheek. "Is—is it coming soon?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

"It was nothing," the Neo-Mexican assured Chibodee falsely.

Clearly, the boxer did not believe her. "Don't lie to me, Gina. You're not good at lying."

Gina laughed. "Then how come it took you so long to figure out I was…not real?" she challenged.

"The Dark Gundam's comin', isn't it?" There was a pause. "And…and you're…" Chibodee couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

Gina didn't answer. She couldn't.

An hour later found Chibodee punching a large blue punching bag to bits, and Gina leaning against the wall, watching her fighter, deep in thought. She couldn't take it any more. The burden was too heavy for her slight shoulders to bear alone. The knowledge was overpowering. Chibodee has already guessed, she mused, so would it really hurt him if he knew the truth? But the answer was obvious. Yes. It would hurt him a thousand times more than mere speculation. Yet she had to tell someone. If she didn't, Gina was afraid, she might burst with all the tension. Just like that punching bag, the android observed with small amusement.

If Gina had not been so wrapped up in her thoughts, and if Chibodee had not been so wrapped up in his training, they would have noticed the figure standing in the shadows. The man's eyes narrowed. Why is she always with that damn fighter? he groaned inwardly. How am I supposed to get a private word with her is she is never alone? He sighed. I'll just have to wait…

And wait he did. For how long, the hooded man never knew. But he did observed how tense Gina seemed, as if she were deciding something important. She shifted uncomfortably every ten minutes or so, gnawing at a fingernail, pulling at a loose strand of hair.

Finally, the man's wait paid off. Although what he saw was not something he wanted to witness.

"You're not just practicing to defeat Domon, are you?" Gina asked Chibodee quietly.

The boxer stopped his fierce attack on the last whole punching bag in the room and looked at Gina. "Yes, I am," the Neo-American fighter muttered between pants.

"Stop worrying so much! It's not coming any time soon!" Gina exclaimed, although she knew the exact opposite.

Chibodee shook his head. "It is. I know it." He looked down at his hand, where, Gina noticed for the first time, the Queen of Spades crest was glowing brightly.

"It's no good," Gina mumbled, turning away from Chibodee's gaze. He walked up to the andoid and grabbed her shoulders.

"I have to Gina, I have to. If Domon can do it, so can I. I—I can't bear—" His voice broke.

The hooded figure in the shadows was very, very confused. What the hell were those two talking about? What was "It"? Why was the strong Chibodee Crockett crying? It made no sense.

"You knew it was going to happen, querido…" Gina whispered softly. But the rest of the sentence was lost to the man.

'Querido'?!?!?! That's impossible! It would mean… No! It couldn't be…could it? The man only stayed long enough to watch in astonishment as Gina kissed Chibodee softly. That was all he could stand to see. Oblivious to the fact that he was making quite a racket, the man ran to the window. Gina and Chibodee whirled around, just in time to see a wide sombrero fell down onto the floor of the room.

Gina rushed to the end of the room and peered out the window. She caught a fleeting glimpse of a tall man running as fast as his feet would carry him. "Chico!" she cried, but to no avail. Was he there…the whole time?

"Who was that guy?" Chibodee asked from behind her, a few tears still staining his cheeks.

"No one," Gina replied evasively.

Chibodee was about to say something, when a loud shout erupted from somewhere downstairs. The two raced down the stairs, only to be greeted by Rye and Jacque, who were sitting contentedly at the kitchen table, munching away at various food items. Rain was standing, cowering, in the corner of the room.

"Who—who are those guys?" she asked.

Gina laughed, then sighed. "Rye," she pointed to the older of the two brothers, "and Jacque."

Rain blinked. "You mean that's the fighter for Neo-Belgium?"

"Hey!" Rye mumbled through mouth-fulls of lasagna. "I take my job very seriously!"

"Which job? Eating, or being annoying?" Chibodee asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Humph," was all Rye said before returning to his meal.

*******************************************

"It can't be true, it can't," Chico mumbled.

"What?" Bo asked.

Chico ignored him. "It just can't."

"What can't, Chico?" Tio prodded.

"Gina can't love him!" the young, confused man muttered.

"Who?" Tio and Bo asked together.

"Chibodee Crocket…"

*******************************************

A soft sigh escaped Gina's lips as she rested her head on Chibodee's chest. She closed her eyes and drank in the comforting silence.

"Hey, Gina, that guy who was spying on us…Who was he?" Chibodee broke the silence with the disturbing question.

Gina shifted uncomfortably. "N—no one."

Chibodee shook his head, jogging his memory. "What'd ya call him? Chico…?"

The android didn't answer.

A few more moments passed in silence, then Chibodee gasped in sudden realization. "Gina, what the hell is your brother doin' here?!"

There was no answer.

Chibodee grabbed Gina harshly and spun her around harshly. His light green eyes bore down into her clear blue ones. "Answer me!" the Neo American fighter commanded.

"He…he…" Gina sighed. "Remember your match with Dagwon Gundam?"

"The bastard…"

" 'The bastard' was—is—my brother."

Chibodee blinked, and blinked again. "Are you tellin' me that Chico was inside that Gundam? I was fighting Chico?!" He grunted, then smiled. "Well, at least that means that he can't be working for the Dark Gundam."

Gina breathed in deeply, relieved, and smiled back at Chibodee. Maybe we will be able to untangle this snare before it's too late, Gina thought hopefully, and leaned back against Chibodee.

*******************************************

*blinks* Did I write that? Help, I'm starting to write serious stuff! Save me! Well, besides the fact that I'm scaring myself…

Hey, people out there, don't forget to waste more of your time reviewing this thing! I'm low on self esteem here, need some help. *big chibi eyes* Please?

~* ShadowTide *~

Out of wonder, anyone get the title of this chapter? Okay, it's probably just me…