Abandoned Reverence

Author's Note: I just got my first semi-hate review! I was so excited (please don't think I'm weird, I just absolutely love getting reviews!) I guess this person saw the foreshadowing of a possible Relena and Heero pairing (have I honestly been so obvious?) But guess what I have to saw to this person? TOUGH NOOGIES! I am terribly sorry that you think Relena and Heero are totally wrong for each other, but I happen to think differently (see my other story titled `Rippled Reflection' for reference). Besides, my advice is not to worry about the supporting characters right now because currently this story is mainly being focused on Hilde, Duo, and Jeff. Maybe someday when this story is done I will write a spin-off dedicated to Relena and Heero (just to let you know, I wasn't going to heavily pair them up in this story). Anyway, thank you everybody for your reviews (even the one that was kind of a semi-hate one) I love ALL of them!

-Veledore ([1]veledore@hotmail.com-email me with your thoughts)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters, but I did come up with Jeff and Mindy, so please do not copy them, okay?

* Indicates thought

~ Indicates flashback

Chapter 4: How the Tides Turn

***

Hilde stepped lightly along the smooth pavement. Colorful posters tried to catch her attention as she passed the small shop's windows, but none really managed to hold her care for very long. There was an uncommonly large bustle of activity outside today; vendors would yell their sales pitches, and little girls holding flowers and beads would boldly approach passing-people in attempts to gain a few dollars. Hilde smiled as the smallest of them all (who as of yet still hadn't had much luck in selling anything) a curly-haired little blonde scurried toward her. She wordlessly held up a tiny purple weed obviously plucked from the crack of a sidewalk. Her large light blue eyes danced in merriment as Hilde extended her hand to receive the flower. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a dollar and handed it to the little girl who gave a cry of delight. She wrapped her small arms around one of Hilde's legs squeezing with all of her might and smiling innocently at Hilde showing a
row of pearly baby teeth. Hilde reached down and patted the top of the girl's head before she release her clutch and scampered off.

Beaming, Hilde watched the girl go. A light breeze brought the smell of the salty sea and Hilde inhaled deeply. The day just kept getting better. Because Jeff was gone, she had given herself the day off wanting a break from the stresses of work. Earlier that morning she had woken before the sun had a chance to expand above the horizon and had taken a morning jog along the shoreline. She had reached the rocky end of the beach and had caught her breath as the sun slipped quietly into the sky dazzling her with an array of golden colors. She had returned home in considerably good spirits (something that didn't go unnoticed by Duo) and hadn't even minded when he mentioned that they were running low on food. Instead, she merely laughed walking out the door and leaving behind a very confused Duo who could do nothing except simply contrast her recent mood to the one from the night before.

She stretched her arms lazily and tucked them behind her head. Because of this comfortable position, she almost didn't notice the two men dressed in black with their backs to her. She managed to maneuver around them before colliding and couldn't help but snag a piece of their conversation. "...checked out the west end, nobody's seen him."

The second voice caused Hilde to freeze. It was gravelly and menacing. "Well, he can't be that far. We'll keep checking out the south end, you take Jack and do a second sweep of the west. We'll keep in contact."

Before she had the chance to turn and hide her face, the men had turned toward her. The larger one's brow raised in recognition and he strolled toward her in a casual manner. "Seen anything unusual lately?" he asked.

"You mean have I found your escapee?" Hilde corrected him smoothly taking a brisk pace towards the grocery mart.

"Have you seen him?" the man persisted matching her stride.

"No," Hilde lied her heart beating a thousand beats per second.

The man halted and grabbed Hilde's elbow roughly. "You sure?" he asked. His sunglasses covered what she was sure to be hard and cold eyes.

"Of course I'm sure," Hilde replied snappily yanking her elbow from his loose grasp.

He fixed her with a hard stare before asking, "You still have my card?"

Hilde recalled Duo's prediction that the card had been bugged and knew that lying this time would only make him more suspicious. "It fell out of my purse somewhere," she told him. "I wasn't worried because I was sure the police would be just as fine to call."

"Here," he said handing her another one. "I'd advise you to hold onto this one. If this guy were to get you, the police might not find you in time."

She took it with reluctance, which the man mistook for fear. "Remember," he warned. "We're only a phone call away."

She nodded and continued on her way. The palms of her hands were slick with sweat and she didn't have to turn to see that the man had disappeared into the crowd.

***

Hilde fumbled at the lock of her apartment-bags filled her other arm and leaned against the wall. The door swung open after much hand-wrist coordination on Hilde's part, and she thankfully set her bags inside the doorway. She was halfway bent over-retrieving more bags when a thump reverberated through the hallways. A high-pitched half squeal-half cry rang out into the open and Hilde quizzically raised her head to check it out. Something hit her from behind and before she could comprehend what was going on, her face met the floor.

She groaned and pushed herself over. Something warm, fuzzy and wet scrambled across her fallen body and moistened her face. "Wha?" Hilde managed trying to sit up while something heavy tried to force her down.

Above the commotion, Hilde could hear something else: the insane laughing of a male. Duo. She growled and righted herself pushing back the other creature and giving Duo a murderous glare. He stood hunched over in the doorway crippled because of his chortling.

"What is this Duo?!" she shrieked taking a closer look at the beast trying desperately to get to her face. The thing had a wriggling golden body very round and rolly. Large ears flapped over its face and giant white splattered paws clumsily tripped over its overly large wagging tail.

"What does it look like?" Duo smartly replied. "It's a dog."

"What is it doing _here_?" Hilde asked motioning with her hand for emphasis and getting wet fingers as a result.

Duo shrugged carelessly. "Followed me."

Hilde was at a loss. "Well, it can't _stay_ here," she said.

"Why not?" Duo asked.

"Because! The apartment is too small, I don't have enough patience, they make messes, they cost money, and most importantly because I said so," Hilde replied.

"Ahh, come on Hilde. What's the poor thing gonna do? Where's he gonna go?" Duo asked leaning over to pet the puppy.

"He might have an owner," Hilde answered. "Or we could take him to a shelter."

"There wasn't a collar, and if you take him to a pound they might put him down. Come on Hilde," he pleaded once more. The puppy was currently trying unsuccessfully to catch its tail. "How can you say no to a face like that?"

Hilde almost smiled. The puppy had looked up when Duo spoke and cocked its head in an attentive gesture. Its yellow eyes danced in the dim hall light. She sighed. "Oh fine," she muttered lowering her head in resignation.

"Yessss," Duo childishly cried pumping his fists in the air and then whistling for the puppy. It jumped happily into the air and followed Duo tripping more often than not over its big feet. Hilde rolled her eyes and stood up proceeding after them into the house.

"Does it have a name?" she asked bringing the bags to the kitchen.

"I was leaning towards Fred, but Bob was starting to sound good too," he responded helping her pile the bags on a counter.

"You've got to be kidding," she said putting away the cold contents in the refrigerator.

"What's wrong with Fred and Bob?" Duo asked putting away the canned food. *Someone certainly knows his way around the kitchen,* Hilde thought amusedly.

"Would you like to be called `Fred', or `Bob'," she asked. "Never mind, don't answer that," she cut in as Duo opened his mouth. "What about something like Boots or Socks? Look, his feet are white, so it would suit him."

"Are _you_ kidding?!" Duo asked in an astonished voice. "Those are things you call a cat! And a girl cat at that! The poor dog would be teased by all of his friends! What are you trying to do, rob him of his dignity?"

Hilde sighed in exasperation. "Fine! Call it whatever you want! I don't care!"

"Okay," Duo replied. "Welcome aboard Steve," he said facing the dog who was presently busy trying to scratch a ear with his stubby hind leg.

"Steve? Never mind, forget I said anything," Hilde remarked, then changing the mood she said, "I met up with that guy again today."

"What guy?" Duo asked from his position on the floor as he scratched Steve on the belly.

"You know, the one that showed up at my door asking after you. He gave me another card," she responded softly.

"Do you still have it?" he asked apprehension threaded in his tone and darkness clouded his face.

Hilde chuckled. "Nope, passed it on to this rude lady who cut me in line. Slipped it into her purse while she complained to the cashier about the price of toilet paper."

Duo smiled as well though his grin was slightly colder and more forced. "When are you scheduled for a meeting with that Yuy guy?" he asked.

Hilde shuddered at his directness "I think the plan was to go this Friday," she informed him.

He nodded grimly, "That's fine."

"I'm meeting with Ms. Peacecraft tomorrow if you want to come then," she offered.

Duo shook his head, "Nah, I don't exactly...agree with everything she thinks. Besides, I don't think she'd like me."

"Ah, come on," Hilde implored wanting Relena to meet Duo for some inexplicable reason. "It won't be _that_ bad."

Duo shrugged, "If you _want_ me to."

"It has to be better than hanging out around here," she said.

Steve, bored from the lack of attention, got to his feet and scrambled over to Duo whining impatiently. Duo patted his ears affectionately and announced his decision to take Steve for a walk on the beach inviting Hilde as well. She conceded and the trio made their way out into the rapidly ascending nightfall.

***

Author's Note: I'm sorry it was so short, but I didn't have much time. I really wanted to show a turn in Duo and Hilde's friendship (I hope you caught that), but otherwise there wasn't much else. Sorry. Another thing-I'm changing my penname to `Abysst' so if you ever want to check up on this story, or see other things I've written, you'll have to type in that one-not Veledore. Thanks to everyone who have written a review for me (a special thanks to my friend Silver Star who has written four already) I continue writing for you guys. Tschüs!

-Veledore (drop me a line at: [2]veledore@hotmail.com)

References

1. mailto:veledore@hotmail.com
2. mailto:veledore@hotmail.com