Silent Tears
Chapter 7: The Freedom of Ire
Kattie
Note: Changes to my notes on chapter 6. I guess I had been planning on Wufei coming but it didn't fit in with the "new" (I didn't write down the old one and forgot it overnight) ending so he never has shown up. He's been on a mission the whole time ::coughs:: ^^* (This story will also undergo some serious editing when I get the chance ::chokes::)
Note: Based on a request in reviews for chapter 6- I have changed the ending. ::faints:: third version of the ending. I might write one of the other endings as well (my alternate ending). This is the hardest thing I've ever written and I can't figure out why. Please give me a break because I'm forcing myself to write this. T.T
Ad: Please check out www.dejitaru-anime.com/forum . The wonderful webmaster lost the site and had to remake it again. He's really a wonderful person and I'd really appreciate it if you'd check it out. (We need more members for it to stay alive T.T)
Warning: Some shounen ai. ^^* Sorry if you dislike it. 1x2, 3x4.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or the song "Tears".
Song info: The music and lyrics for "Tears" were written by Yoshiki, pianist and percussionist for X-Japan. The song was performed by X-Japan. The lyrics refer to Yoshiki's father who committed suicide.
Dedication: Dedicated to Yoshiki. One of the best musicians and songwriters ever (and most attractive ::blush blush::).
* Lyrics *
* If you could have taught me anything
You would have found what love is*
For a moment, Trowa and Hiiro continued staring at Quatre, trying to understand how he could suddenly speak after so many days of being unable to. It seemed impossible.
"I'll explain later," Quatre said quickly, wincing as he pulled a needle from his arm that connected to a long tube filled with a yellowish liquid, "We need to leave."
"I'll get the doctor." Hiiro whispered to Trowa.
"Hiiro, wait," Quatre said forcefully, "The hospital staff were placed here by the men who kidnapped Duo."
A look of frustration covered Hiiro's face. "Duo is dead." He replied stiffly, the words sounding unnatural- as though he was no longer sure.
Quatre shook his head and took Hiiro's hand within his own small one. "That wasn't him, Hiiro. Duo is alive but he's in trouble. We have to go help him."
For a moment, Hiiro was silent, his ideas of what must be true battling with the hope in his heart. Finally, when he spoke, his voice was softer. "Where is he then?"
The skepticism remained behind the sentence, the word "then" added to announce obvious disbelief. However, Hiiro wasn't able to conceal his more optimistic undertone.
"'Clearview Apartments'," Quatre answered, his eyes wandering as though he were trying to remember more, "It's a few blocks away from Winner Enterprises. The top floor…. Room 12-F."
"Why were you attacked?" Hiiro continued, storing the information he'd just received in the back of his mind.
Shaking his head with a sigh, Quatre replied, "We don't have time for this now. I'll tell you on the way there. We really need to get away from here before someone realizes I'm speaking."
Hiiro fell into silence again and looked straight ahead in thought.
Making his own decision, Trowa stood and carefully took Quatre into his arms. He carried him slowly to the door, as though he were a glass figurine, and turned to Hiiro. "Let's go, Hiiro."
With a small nod, Hiiro followed them out the door.
* If you could have taught me what was on your mind
I could have shown you the way*
Exiting the hospital, without being seen by any of the heinous doctors, had been difficult. The window had seemed like the most obvious escape route but, from the tenth story, there were few ways to climb down with a sick person. Taking up some spare scrubs from the "employees only" room, the three wore the masks of surgery over their mouths and attempted to look inconspicuous with them on in the main lobbies, though Hiiro and Trowa held tightly on to Quatre's arms to support him. It had been relatively trouble-free, slipping around corners and being less suspicious with their larger number, except for one minor incident when Quatre was told to report to Post Op as a certain "Doctor Pierce".
Trowa carefully slid Quatre onto the back seat of their car and buckled him in, his hand remaining on the fastener a second longer than it should have as he watched his lover.
As soon as they had reached the main street, Hiiro began his questioning again. "Do you know why you were attacked?"
With a small nod, Quatre leaned back against the sleep and closed his eyes. "They believed us to be wealthy tourists."
Hiiro looked back at Quatre in the rear-view mirror as a scowl fixed upon his lips. "They didn't know who you were?"
"No," Quatre replied, "We just happened to be there at the wrong time."
"Why did they take Duo then?" Hiiro questioned, his voice nearly breaking as he spoke his lover's name.
"They would have taken me too," Quatre paused for a moment to cough, "but I was recognized-"
"Do they know Duo's a pilot?" Hiiro interrupted.
"No-"
"Explain the entire situation."
Quatre sighed. "They knew that if I was kept, my father would hire someone to find me, but they couldn't just let me go. I already knew where they were going so they needed to silence me," he looked out the window, checking impatiently to see where they were, "They told me if I said anything they'd kill Duo. But they'd already said they were planning on killing him anyway, so I had to try to tell you…. And they knew…. So they gave me "pneumonia". They forced this liquid down my throat and I started coughing."
A look of exhaustion covered Quatre's face. "The man who died was one of their own. Duo hit him unconscious before…." He paused for a moment, "They're doctors. They inflicted the wounds on their own comrade to keep him alive for a few days before dying. They needed a body for Duo, so no one would start searching for him. Their make-up…. He was already dying. It was impossible to tell if the dying man was Duo or not and neither of you saw him closely- he was in the ER the entire time. They put Duo's ID in his pocket and the man was Duo as far as the hospital was concerned."
With another sigh, Quatre squeezed his eyes closed as though trying to force away bad memories. "They've been developing a new disease. It spreads by air. They need Duo to…. see how long someone survives after being afflicted."
*Someday... I will be before you
Have you ever thought about that time?*
They made good time to the apartment complex. Hiiro hadn't driven in an especially legal manner, but he had managed to avoid any accidents or police chases. His pilot reflexes had been at their best.
Stepping out of the car, Hiiro clicked the safety off on his gun, a glare fixing upon his dark eyes. His lips formed into a scowl as an air of death swept around him. "Twelve F?" He questioned Quatre shortly.
"Yes, top floor."
With a slight nod, Hiiro entered the building, leaving Trowa and Quatre behind.
Showing no emotion on his face, Trowa casually handed his lover a gun. "Stay low. We will return shortly."
Quatre took the firearm as tears began to form in his shining eyes. "Be careful." He whispered.
Trowa nodded sharply in reply. "Shoot anyone who comes near you."
* I never imagined the pictures of that night*
"There are 11 cameras on every floor," Hiiro informed Trowa as he entered the lobby, "The few near 12-F were tampered with and have been shut down for repairs. The apartment has 4 rooms, two windows, and one balcony."
Trowa nodded. "I'll enter through the main door."
"Yes, I'll need a distraction."
The two exchanged nods and separated, Hiiro exiting the building and Trowa stepping inside an elevator.
As Trowa waited in the elevator for it to reach the twelfth floor, doubts began to form in his mind. They really knew nothing of these people or the situation they'd soon find themselves in. For all they knew, there could be fifty people in the apartment. What would happen to Quatre if they….
He couldn't stand leaving Quatre alone.
The elevator chimed as its door opened to the topmost floor and all doubt and worries were swept to the back of his mind. Trowa drifted slowly through the hallway, reading the numbers on the doors.
12-A
12-C
12-F
His hand resting on the handle of his gun, Trowa knocked on the door. 'Be safe, Quatre' his mind and heart screamed, 'Please be safe.'
"Come in."
* * *
Hiiro climbed the fire escape as quickly as he could without being too loud. Every step he took seemed to send an interminable siren into the air- mingling with the last in a shriek of his position. His heart beat fiercely in his chest, out of fear more than actually exhaustion.
Duo was alive. His lover had been returned to him. It was a miracle and it could soon be over. Perhaps Duo had come back to life only to die because Hiiro was too slow. The fears gnawed at his heart and quickened his feet.
As he reached the eleventh floor, Hiiro slowed his pace to a crawl. He stopped before the window, which had its blinds closed. Producing a small, Swiss Army knife-looking item, he began to work on opening the window. The effort produced many assortments of clicking and Hiiro cursed each one.
Finally, with one final click, the window slipped a few millimeters open. 'I'm coming, Duo,' he said mentally, 'I'm coming for you.'
* * *
Quatre waited impatiently in the car, his fears piling upon one another to form a mountain. The gun was placed lazily on his lap with his fingers floating a few centimeters above it. His eyes lingered on the apartment complex and his thoughts could not wander far from the location either.
"Trowa…." He whispered sadly to himself, uneasiness bedecking his soul.
"Excuse me, sir, this is a load/unload zone only."
Pulling his eyes sharply away from the building, Quatre glanced down at the man before him. He clutched the gun tightly as recognition set in and his fear tripled.
A click sounded from behind him.
"Best to put that down, Mr. Winner."
* * *
Cautiously, Trowa pushed the door open and stepped into apartment 11-F, his finger secure against the trigger. "Repairman," he said swiftly, "I heard there were some broken cameras around here? Security sent me up."
A tall woman stood up from a chair that faced the covered window. She wore a long, burgundy dress with draping sleeves. Her raven hair dances around her waist and she smiled as she walked up to Trowa. "Oh, thank heavens. The blasted things shorted out nearly a week ago. I've called Maintenance every day but they've always been awfully busy. And what with the murder less than a block away," she sighed and swept her hair behind an ear, "It's enough to keep me up nights."
"I'm sorry about that, ma'am," Trowa replied apologetically, "We've been short-staffed lately. Holiday leaves."
"Oh, that's quite all right!" The woman smiled and extended her hand, "My name is Gladice Brank. I would like you to kiss my hand."
Awkwardly, Trowa leaned over and touched his lips lightly to her knuckles. "Ron Tracy," he replied, conjuring the alias without a thought, "Nice to meet you."
"They pleasure is entirely mine, Mr. Tracy," she grinned again and brushed a hand through her hair, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but since we are friends now-" she paused, "We are friends, aren't we, Mr. Tracy?"
Trowa nodded hesitantly.
"Oh good!" She shook his hand happily, "Well, since we're such good friends- can I call you Ron?"
"….."
"All right. Ron, dear, haven't you a uniform? Don't the gentlemen in Maintenance have a certain dress code?" Her eyes bore into him like a knife.
Trowa's gaze didn't falter. "It's Friday, ma'am. Free dress."
"Oh, of course," she laughed, "How silly of me."
"Um, miss-" Trowa began.
"Call me Gladice."
"-Gladice…." Trowa paused to compose himself, "Would you mind directing me to the cameras that need repairs?"
"I wouldn't mind at all!" She linked arms with him and grinned again, "You aren't married, are you Ron?"
"….No."
"Really?" Her eyes widened, "That's quite interesting." She led him out the door, speaking constantly.
She reminded Trowa of someone, but he couldn't quite place who it was.
* * *
Hiiro saw his lover the moment he was within the room. "Duo…." He whispered, emotion sweeping over him.
His eyes staring up lifelessly at the ceiling, Duo lay motionless on the twin bed in the center of the room. Bruises and cuts adorned his arms and a bandage was tied tightly around his head that held a tinge of red. His breathing was very shallow though his chest lifted and fell dramatically with each simple breath. He didn't seem to notice Hiiro, even when the brunette stood directly in front of him.
"Duo," Hiiro repeated, touching a hand lightly to his love's cheek, "Duo…."
With the feel of Hiiro's hand, Duo suddenly jerked away and his eyes flashed with fear. "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!"
Hiiro's hand moved like lightning to cover Duo's lips, pressing down tightly. "It's just me," he whispered, "We've come to take you home."
As his eyes lit up, Duo reached up to take Hiiro's hand within his own and kissed it lightly. He brought the hand up slowly to his cheek and smiled weakly as he brushed it against his cheek. "I've been waiting for you."
Despite the situation, Hiiro couldn't help but release a small grin. The love and relief came like a wave and drowned him- leaving him in a state of bliss. "Let's go home."
* * *
"Did you hear that, Ron?" Gladice asked, pulling Trowa to a stop and looking into his eyes. "You did, didn't you?"
Trowa had heard it all right and recognized who it belonged to. A relief set over him as he effortlessly lied again, "Ma'am?"
"Voices," Gladice explained, waving her hand around as if it would help express her point, "Didn't you hear them?"
'It was only one voice.' Trowa thought. "No, ma'am. A cat, maybe?"
Gladice sighed and clasped her escort's arm tightly. "Well, my mother always said I was a clairvoyant. Probably just the voices of the dead." She laughed a good number of seconds at her remark, as though it were the funniest thing in the world.
Trowa forced a smile. "The cameras, miss?"
"Oh yes," she chuckled again, "At the end of the hall." She began leading him down the hallway- sauntering leisurely. "You know, you look a great deal like my cousin, Joe. You have the exact same eyes."
"…."
"Yes, you have similar hairstyles as well- though he bleaches his. Don't know why, the boy has a gorgeous natural color after all. Do you dye your hair, Ron?"
"No, ma'am."
"Splendid. I've always said that the natural look is better. Leaves you with softer hair as well. Is your hair soft, Ron?"
"I wouldn't know, ma'am."
"Pity," Gladice sighed. She smiled as they reached the end of the hallway, "This would be the first one. If you'd like to take a look at it."
Nodding, Trowa approached the camera and began checking the wires. Two of them had been severed some kind of knife- cutting off both the visual and audio and leaving nothing for the men at the security desk. "We'll have to replace it entirely, miss." Trowa explained.
A click sounded from behind him. "Mr. Barton, I'd expected better from you," Gladice said disappointedly, "You allowed me to lead you straight away from your friends. Now they won't even be here to hear you scream. This will be a bit unsatisfactory."
* * *
"Touching." A voice said from behind the couple.
Hiiro turned and drew his gun at the same time, aiming it straight at the forehead of the man behind him. "There's a fire escape, Duo," he said quietly, "Go."
"I very much doubt the boy's ability to walk even to the window," the man said with a smirk, "Much less outrun my own men to your vehicle, where more of my men's comrades will be waiting."
Cursing under his breath, Hiiro took a step towards the man. "Move." He demanded, cocking his gun forward.
"Well, I would, but you see," the man sighed dramatically, "Though you have a gun to my head, I have your other two friends in custody." He paused to let his words sink in, "Now, if you'd just follow me into the next room. Oh, please, keep your gun aimed at me. I wouldn't dream of asking you to trust me."
* For now I will try to live for you
And for...*
They entered the room with Hiiro shoving a gun at the back of the man's head and Duo clinging to his other arm. As soon as his eyes met its contents, Hiiro cursed under his breath.
Two men stood on either side of Quatre, who had been forced into a wooden chair. His mouth was tightly gagged and ropes secured him in his seated position. Both men guarding him held guns.
Trowa stood leaning against the wall, a woman standing next him, smiling smugly as she dipped the gun to his head over and over. She was whispering to him without pause while he attempted to ignore her.
"It seems we're all here," the man before Hiiro said cheerfully, "Lovely to see you again, Mr. Winner. And, Mr. Barton, glad you could join us. Now, Mr. Yuy, I would appreciate it if you would lower your firearm so that we do not have to stain the new carpets with either of these fine young men's blood."
His eyes burning furiously, Hiiro dropped his gun to the floor.
"And slip it over here." The man continued.
Hiiro kicked his weapon across the room and tightened his hold on Duo.
"Very good," the man smiled as he walked casually across the room to Quatre, "Now, Mr. Winner, I think some punishment is in order. You see, I distinctly remember telling you to remain silent. And yet, the three of you are here. So, you most obviously did not do as I asked." His hand seemed not existent as it sliced through the air and slapped Quatre across the cheek. "Stupid boy."
Quatre made no sound as his cheek began to swell, though he could not stop a few tears of pain from slipping down his face.
"I suppose I did tell you the consequences," the man continued, pacing across the room, "The immediate death of one of your comrades, if I'm not mistaken." He looked at Duo with a sinister grin.
Instinctively, Hiiro pulled Duo behind him and glared at the man. His heart raced in his chest as he realized he might lose his love again.
"Relax, Mr. Yuy," the man laughed, "There would be no fun in killing a half-dead boy. He'd probably die right there if you let him go." Without another word, he spun around and released a bullet.
Quatre seemed to go insane at the moment of impact. His eyes filled with a terror and madness and he fought desperately against the ropes to stand. He shook violently and made a shrieking noise through the gag. He continued to struggle until he at last overturned his chair and fell to the ground.
There was no emotion on Trowa's face, even as the blood began seeping through his clothes. He slowly brought a hand to his chest and pressed down upon the wound. A redness began to dye his fingers. He slid down carefully to the ground and ripped one of his sleeves off. Remaining silent, he pressed the new fabric to his skin and continued his attempt to stop the bleeding.
Quatre fell still after hitting the ground. He lay there motionless with his head resting against the carpet. His sobbing was almost inaudible.
* I will try to live*
The man sighed as he lowered his gun. "Pointless," he muttered, "Completely pointless."
Gladice stepped away from Trowa and frowned. "You could've warned me, Harold," she said scoldingly, "Now I've got blood on my new dress. Should've just let me finish this outside."
"Well, darling," Harold said, sounding a bit annoyed, "If you hadn't been stopped from killing him in the hallway- you would've had even more blood on your dress."
With a scowl, Gladice nodded. "You still owe me a new dress."
Sighing again, Harold took her arm. "It's time to leave," he turned to his comrades, "Is the room secured?"
"Yes, sir."
Nodding, Harold led Gladice out of the room. The other men followed, walking backwards to keep their guns on the pilots. One reached down to pick up Hiiro's firearm. "You won't be needing this."
The door was slammed closed behind them.
Hiiro helped Duo into a chair and hurried over to Trowa. "How bad is it?" He questioned.
"It should be fine," Trowa said quietly, lying through his teeth, "If I get to a hospital soon enough." He winced, "Help Quatre."
Nodding hesitantly, Hiiro stood and walked to Quatre. "Quatre?" He questioned, beginning to untie the ropes.
Duo looked up at the ceiling and his eyes became lifeless again. "Do you hear that?"
Helping Quatre into the chair again, Hiiro asked, "What?"
Nodding, Quatre looked up as well, tears continuing to roll from his eyes. "They've released it…."
"What is it?" Hiiro questioned.
"The virus," Duo whispered, his eyes widening, "It's in the air."
The room fell silent. A cold mist seemed to set on its inhabitants.
"How long until it takes effect?" Hiiro asked quietly.
Duo squeezed his eyes closed and sighed. "They were guessing less than a minute."
Standing shakily, Quatre made his way to Trowa's side. "Does it hurt?"
Trowa shook his head. "I can't feel it."
Leaning over, Quatre kissed his lover gently. "I'm sorry."
Frustration taking a hold of him, Hiiro slumped over next to Duo's chair and held his head in his hands. "I let them hurt you…."
Slowly, Duo brought a hand down and set it on Hiiro's shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. I should have been more careful."
"Quatre," Trowa asked in a wavering voice, "Why were you walking alone? When you were attacked…. Why wasn't one of us with you?"
With a sigh, Quatre took his lover's hand. "It was supposed to be a surprise."
Trowa looked to him with a questioning expression.
A tear slid down Quatre's cheek. "In a week, it's the anniversary of the five of us meeting."
There was a brief silence.
"How much longer?" Duo asked quietly.
Glancing at his watch, Hiiro frowned. "It's been two minutes."
"Well, at least it wasn't as fast as they thought." Duo replied unenthusiastically.
The door to the hallway opened suddenly and Wufei walked in. "They're gone," he said quickly, "There are medics waiting outside."
Noticing that none of the four were making any movements, Wufei glared at them. "I've been working on this for 2 weeks. They didn't release any virus. I exchanged the test-tube with a fake."
He looked over the room with an unhappy expression. "I'll have them come up here."
* * * Epilogue- One Week Later* * *
Hiiro walked quickly through the hospital, Wufei trailing behind. Neither of them spoke to each other, but continued in a business-like way. It wasn't a mission, but it was just as important to both of them.
As they approached the correct room, Hiiro slipped his gun away and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Both pilots walked in awkwardly and closed the door behind them. Trowa was lying half-asleep on the hospital bed, but acknowledged them with a slight nod of the head despite his obvious exhaustion. Quatre was kneeling on the floor beside the bed and held Trowa's hand tightly within his own. Across the small room, Duo sad in a chair sleeping, a small bandage on his forehead.
"Um," Hiiro began awkwardly, "Happy Anniversary."
Wufei nodded next to him.
Duo peaked an eye open at the words. "You remembered?"
Blushing slightly, Hiiro nodded. "I wouldn't forget."
"You're blushing," Duo said with a laugh, "You see that, Hiiro's blushing?"
"No, I'm not." Hiiro replied angrily as he reddened more.
"Yes you are!" Duo chuckled, "You're blushing!"
Quatre smiled and kissed Trowa's hand. "Happy Anniversary." He whispered.
A small grin coming to his own dry lips, Trowa replied, "Happy Anniversary."
"Duo, I didn't blush."
"I've got four witnesses! Didn't he blush?"
"A blushing bride."
"Shut up, Chang!"
"Does anyone have a camera? We need to record this historical moment."
"I have a camera."
"No, you don't."
*click*
"…. Okay, Okay! I'll put the camera down."
* Try to live the love, the dreams,
And finally, the tears.*
End
Please review! ::faints:: that's over 3 times longer than most chapters. Good reading ::pats on shoulder::
Chapter 7: The Freedom of Ire
Kattie
Note: Changes to my notes on chapter 6. I guess I had been planning on Wufei coming but it didn't fit in with the "new" (I didn't write down the old one and forgot it overnight) ending so he never has shown up. He's been on a mission the whole time ::coughs:: ^^* (This story will also undergo some serious editing when I get the chance ::chokes::)
Note: Based on a request in reviews for chapter 6- I have changed the ending. ::faints:: third version of the ending. I might write one of the other endings as well (my alternate ending). This is the hardest thing I've ever written and I can't figure out why. Please give me a break because I'm forcing myself to write this. T.T
Ad: Please check out www.dejitaru-anime.com/forum . The wonderful webmaster lost the site and had to remake it again. He's really a wonderful person and I'd really appreciate it if you'd check it out. (We need more members for it to stay alive T.T)
Warning: Some shounen ai. ^^* Sorry if you dislike it. 1x2, 3x4.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or the song "Tears".
Song info: The music and lyrics for "Tears" were written by Yoshiki, pianist and percussionist for X-Japan. The song was performed by X-Japan. The lyrics refer to Yoshiki's father who committed suicide.
Dedication: Dedicated to Yoshiki. One of the best musicians and songwriters ever (and most attractive ::blush blush::).
* Lyrics *
* If you could have taught me anything
You would have found what love is*
For a moment, Trowa and Hiiro continued staring at Quatre, trying to understand how he could suddenly speak after so many days of being unable to. It seemed impossible.
"I'll explain later," Quatre said quickly, wincing as he pulled a needle from his arm that connected to a long tube filled with a yellowish liquid, "We need to leave."
"I'll get the doctor." Hiiro whispered to Trowa.
"Hiiro, wait," Quatre said forcefully, "The hospital staff were placed here by the men who kidnapped Duo."
A look of frustration covered Hiiro's face. "Duo is dead." He replied stiffly, the words sounding unnatural- as though he was no longer sure.
Quatre shook his head and took Hiiro's hand within his own small one. "That wasn't him, Hiiro. Duo is alive but he's in trouble. We have to go help him."
For a moment, Hiiro was silent, his ideas of what must be true battling with the hope in his heart. Finally, when he spoke, his voice was softer. "Where is he then?"
The skepticism remained behind the sentence, the word "then" added to announce obvious disbelief. However, Hiiro wasn't able to conceal his more optimistic undertone.
"'Clearview Apartments'," Quatre answered, his eyes wandering as though he were trying to remember more, "It's a few blocks away from Winner Enterprises. The top floor…. Room 12-F."
"Why were you attacked?" Hiiro continued, storing the information he'd just received in the back of his mind.
Shaking his head with a sigh, Quatre replied, "We don't have time for this now. I'll tell you on the way there. We really need to get away from here before someone realizes I'm speaking."
Hiiro fell into silence again and looked straight ahead in thought.
Making his own decision, Trowa stood and carefully took Quatre into his arms. He carried him slowly to the door, as though he were a glass figurine, and turned to Hiiro. "Let's go, Hiiro."
With a small nod, Hiiro followed them out the door.
* If you could have taught me what was on your mind
I could have shown you the way*
Exiting the hospital, without being seen by any of the heinous doctors, had been difficult. The window had seemed like the most obvious escape route but, from the tenth story, there were few ways to climb down with a sick person. Taking up some spare scrubs from the "employees only" room, the three wore the masks of surgery over their mouths and attempted to look inconspicuous with them on in the main lobbies, though Hiiro and Trowa held tightly on to Quatre's arms to support him. It had been relatively trouble-free, slipping around corners and being less suspicious with their larger number, except for one minor incident when Quatre was told to report to Post Op as a certain "Doctor Pierce".
Trowa carefully slid Quatre onto the back seat of their car and buckled him in, his hand remaining on the fastener a second longer than it should have as he watched his lover.
As soon as they had reached the main street, Hiiro began his questioning again. "Do you know why you were attacked?"
With a small nod, Quatre leaned back against the sleep and closed his eyes. "They believed us to be wealthy tourists."
Hiiro looked back at Quatre in the rear-view mirror as a scowl fixed upon his lips. "They didn't know who you were?"
"No," Quatre replied, "We just happened to be there at the wrong time."
"Why did they take Duo then?" Hiiro questioned, his voice nearly breaking as he spoke his lover's name.
"They would have taken me too," Quatre paused for a moment to cough, "but I was recognized-"
"Do they know Duo's a pilot?" Hiiro interrupted.
"No-"
"Explain the entire situation."
Quatre sighed. "They knew that if I was kept, my father would hire someone to find me, but they couldn't just let me go. I already knew where they were going so they needed to silence me," he looked out the window, checking impatiently to see where they were, "They told me if I said anything they'd kill Duo. But they'd already said they were planning on killing him anyway, so I had to try to tell you…. And they knew…. So they gave me "pneumonia". They forced this liquid down my throat and I started coughing."
A look of exhaustion covered Quatre's face. "The man who died was one of their own. Duo hit him unconscious before…." He paused for a moment, "They're doctors. They inflicted the wounds on their own comrade to keep him alive for a few days before dying. They needed a body for Duo, so no one would start searching for him. Their make-up…. He was already dying. It was impossible to tell if the dying man was Duo or not and neither of you saw him closely- he was in the ER the entire time. They put Duo's ID in his pocket and the man was Duo as far as the hospital was concerned."
With another sigh, Quatre squeezed his eyes closed as though trying to force away bad memories. "They've been developing a new disease. It spreads by air. They need Duo to…. see how long someone survives after being afflicted."
*Someday... I will be before you
Have you ever thought about that time?*
They made good time to the apartment complex. Hiiro hadn't driven in an especially legal manner, but he had managed to avoid any accidents or police chases. His pilot reflexes had been at their best.
Stepping out of the car, Hiiro clicked the safety off on his gun, a glare fixing upon his dark eyes. His lips formed into a scowl as an air of death swept around him. "Twelve F?" He questioned Quatre shortly.
"Yes, top floor."
With a slight nod, Hiiro entered the building, leaving Trowa and Quatre behind.
Showing no emotion on his face, Trowa casually handed his lover a gun. "Stay low. We will return shortly."
Quatre took the firearm as tears began to form in his shining eyes. "Be careful." He whispered.
Trowa nodded sharply in reply. "Shoot anyone who comes near you."
* I never imagined the pictures of that night*
"There are 11 cameras on every floor," Hiiro informed Trowa as he entered the lobby, "The few near 12-F were tampered with and have been shut down for repairs. The apartment has 4 rooms, two windows, and one balcony."
Trowa nodded. "I'll enter through the main door."
"Yes, I'll need a distraction."
The two exchanged nods and separated, Hiiro exiting the building and Trowa stepping inside an elevator.
As Trowa waited in the elevator for it to reach the twelfth floor, doubts began to form in his mind. They really knew nothing of these people or the situation they'd soon find themselves in. For all they knew, there could be fifty people in the apartment. What would happen to Quatre if they….
He couldn't stand leaving Quatre alone.
The elevator chimed as its door opened to the topmost floor and all doubt and worries were swept to the back of his mind. Trowa drifted slowly through the hallway, reading the numbers on the doors.
12-A
12-C
12-F
His hand resting on the handle of his gun, Trowa knocked on the door. 'Be safe, Quatre' his mind and heart screamed, 'Please be safe.'
"Come in."
* * *
Hiiro climbed the fire escape as quickly as he could without being too loud. Every step he took seemed to send an interminable siren into the air- mingling with the last in a shriek of his position. His heart beat fiercely in his chest, out of fear more than actually exhaustion.
Duo was alive. His lover had been returned to him. It was a miracle and it could soon be over. Perhaps Duo had come back to life only to die because Hiiro was too slow. The fears gnawed at his heart and quickened his feet.
As he reached the eleventh floor, Hiiro slowed his pace to a crawl. He stopped before the window, which had its blinds closed. Producing a small, Swiss Army knife-looking item, he began to work on opening the window. The effort produced many assortments of clicking and Hiiro cursed each one.
Finally, with one final click, the window slipped a few millimeters open. 'I'm coming, Duo,' he said mentally, 'I'm coming for you.'
* * *
Quatre waited impatiently in the car, his fears piling upon one another to form a mountain. The gun was placed lazily on his lap with his fingers floating a few centimeters above it. His eyes lingered on the apartment complex and his thoughts could not wander far from the location either.
"Trowa…." He whispered sadly to himself, uneasiness bedecking his soul.
"Excuse me, sir, this is a load/unload zone only."
Pulling his eyes sharply away from the building, Quatre glanced down at the man before him. He clutched the gun tightly as recognition set in and his fear tripled.
A click sounded from behind him.
"Best to put that down, Mr. Winner."
* * *
Cautiously, Trowa pushed the door open and stepped into apartment 11-F, his finger secure against the trigger. "Repairman," he said swiftly, "I heard there were some broken cameras around here? Security sent me up."
A tall woman stood up from a chair that faced the covered window. She wore a long, burgundy dress with draping sleeves. Her raven hair dances around her waist and she smiled as she walked up to Trowa. "Oh, thank heavens. The blasted things shorted out nearly a week ago. I've called Maintenance every day but they've always been awfully busy. And what with the murder less than a block away," she sighed and swept her hair behind an ear, "It's enough to keep me up nights."
"I'm sorry about that, ma'am," Trowa replied apologetically, "We've been short-staffed lately. Holiday leaves."
"Oh, that's quite all right!" The woman smiled and extended her hand, "My name is Gladice Brank. I would like you to kiss my hand."
Awkwardly, Trowa leaned over and touched his lips lightly to her knuckles. "Ron Tracy," he replied, conjuring the alias without a thought, "Nice to meet you."
"They pleasure is entirely mine, Mr. Tracy," she grinned again and brushed a hand through her hair, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but since we are friends now-" she paused, "We are friends, aren't we, Mr. Tracy?"
Trowa nodded hesitantly.
"Oh good!" She shook his hand happily, "Well, since we're such good friends- can I call you Ron?"
"….."
"All right. Ron, dear, haven't you a uniform? Don't the gentlemen in Maintenance have a certain dress code?" Her eyes bore into him like a knife.
Trowa's gaze didn't falter. "It's Friday, ma'am. Free dress."
"Oh, of course," she laughed, "How silly of me."
"Um, miss-" Trowa began.
"Call me Gladice."
"-Gladice…." Trowa paused to compose himself, "Would you mind directing me to the cameras that need repairs?"
"I wouldn't mind at all!" She linked arms with him and grinned again, "You aren't married, are you Ron?"
"….No."
"Really?" Her eyes widened, "That's quite interesting." She led him out the door, speaking constantly.
She reminded Trowa of someone, but he couldn't quite place who it was.
* * *
Hiiro saw his lover the moment he was within the room. "Duo…." He whispered, emotion sweeping over him.
His eyes staring up lifelessly at the ceiling, Duo lay motionless on the twin bed in the center of the room. Bruises and cuts adorned his arms and a bandage was tied tightly around his head that held a tinge of red. His breathing was very shallow though his chest lifted and fell dramatically with each simple breath. He didn't seem to notice Hiiro, even when the brunette stood directly in front of him.
"Duo," Hiiro repeated, touching a hand lightly to his love's cheek, "Duo…."
With the feel of Hiiro's hand, Duo suddenly jerked away and his eyes flashed with fear. "GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!"
Hiiro's hand moved like lightning to cover Duo's lips, pressing down tightly. "It's just me," he whispered, "We've come to take you home."
As his eyes lit up, Duo reached up to take Hiiro's hand within his own and kissed it lightly. He brought the hand up slowly to his cheek and smiled weakly as he brushed it against his cheek. "I've been waiting for you."
Despite the situation, Hiiro couldn't help but release a small grin. The love and relief came like a wave and drowned him- leaving him in a state of bliss. "Let's go home."
* * *
"Did you hear that, Ron?" Gladice asked, pulling Trowa to a stop and looking into his eyes. "You did, didn't you?"
Trowa had heard it all right and recognized who it belonged to. A relief set over him as he effortlessly lied again, "Ma'am?"
"Voices," Gladice explained, waving her hand around as if it would help express her point, "Didn't you hear them?"
'It was only one voice.' Trowa thought. "No, ma'am. A cat, maybe?"
Gladice sighed and clasped her escort's arm tightly. "Well, my mother always said I was a clairvoyant. Probably just the voices of the dead." She laughed a good number of seconds at her remark, as though it were the funniest thing in the world.
Trowa forced a smile. "The cameras, miss?"
"Oh yes," she chuckled again, "At the end of the hall." She began leading him down the hallway- sauntering leisurely. "You know, you look a great deal like my cousin, Joe. You have the exact same eyes."
"…."
"Yes, you have similar hairstyles as well- though he bleaches his. Don't know why, the boy has a gorgeous natural color after all. Do you dye your hair, Ron?"
"No, ma'am."
"Splendid. I've always said that the natural look is better. Leaves you with softer hair as well. Is your hair soft, Ron?"
"I wouldn't know, ma'am."
"Pity," Gladice sighed. She smiled as they reached the end of the hallway, "This would be the first one. If you'd like to take a look at it."
Nodding, Trowa approached the camera and began checking the wires. Two of them had been severed some kind of knife- cutting off both the visual and audio and leaving nothing for the men at the security desk. "We'll have to replace it entirely, miss." Trowa explained.
A click sounded from behind him. "Mr. Barton, I'd expected better from you," Gladice said disappointedly, "You allowed me to lead you straight away from your friends. Now they won't even be here to hear you scream. This will be a bit unsatisfactory."
* * *
"Touching." A voice said from behind the couple.
Hiiro turned and drew his gun at the same time, aiming it straight at the forehead of the man behind him. "There's a fire escape, Duo," he said quietly, "Go."
"I very much doubt the boy's ability to walk even to the window," the man said with a smirk, "Much less outrun my own men to your vehicle, where more of my men's comrades will be waiting."
Cursing under his breath, Hiiro took a step towards the man. "Move." He demanded, cocking his gun forward.
"Well, I would, but you see," the man sighed dramatically, "Though you have a gun to my head, I have your other two friends in custody." He paused to let his words sink in, "Now, if you'd just follow me into the next room. Oh, please, keep your gun aimed at me. I wouldn't dream of asking you to trust me."
* For now I will try to live for you
And for...*
They entered the room with Hiiro shoving a gun at the back of the man's head and Duo clinging to his other arm. As soon as his eyes met its contents, Hiiro cursed under his breath.
Two men stood on either side of Quatre, who had been forced into a wooden chair. His mouth was tightly gagged and ropes secured him in his seated position. Both men guarding him held guns.
Trowa stood leaning against the wall, a woman standing next him, smiling smugly as she dipped the gun to his head over and over. She was whispering to him without pause while he attempted to ignore her.
"It seems we're all here," the man before Hiiro said cheerfully, "Lovely to see you again, Mr. Winner. And, Mr. Barton, glad you could join us. Now, Mr. Yuy, I would appreciate it if you would lower your firearm so that we do not have to stain the new carpets with either of these fine young men's blood."
His eyes burning furiously, Hiiro dropped his gun to the floor.
"And slip it over here." The man continued.
Hiiro kicked his weapon across the room and tightened his hold on Duo.
"Very good," the man smiled as he walked casually across the room to Quatre, "Now, Mr. Winner, I think some punishment is in order. You see, I distinctly remember telling you to remain silent. And yet, the three of you are here. So, you most obviously did not do as I asked." His hand seemed not existent as it sliced through the air and slapped Quatre across the cheek. "Stupid boy."
Quatre made no sound as his cheek began to swell, though he could not stop a few tears of pain from slipping down his face.
"I suppose I did tell you the consequences," the man continued, pacing across the room, "The immediate death of one of your comrades, if I'm not mistaken." He looked at Duo with a sinister grin.
Instinctively, Hiiro pulled Duo behind him and glared at the man. His heart raced in his chest as he realized he might lose his love again.
"Relax, Mr. Yuy," the man laughed, "There would be no fun in killing a half-dead boy. He'd probably die right there if you let him go." Without another word, he spun around and released a bullet.
Quatre seemed to go insane at the moment of impact. His eyes filled with a terror and madness and he fought desperately against the ropes to stand. He shook violently and made a shrieking noise through the gag. He continued to struggle until he at last overturned his chair and fell to the ground.
There was no emotion on Trowa's face, even as the blood began seeping through his clothes. He slowly brought a hand to his chest and pressed down upon the wound. A redness began to dye his fingers. He slid down carefully to the ground and ripped one of his sleeves off. Remaining silent, he pressed the new fabric to his skin and continued his attempt to stop the bleeding.
Quatre fell still after hitting the ground. He lay there motionless with his head resting against the carpet. His sobbing was almost inaudible.
* I will try to live*
The man sighed as he lowered his gun. "Pointless," he muttered, "Completely pointless."
Gladice stepped away from Trowa and frowned. "You could've warned me, Harold," she said scoldingly, "Now I've got blood on my new dress. Should've just let me finish this outside."
"Well, darling," Harold said, sounding a bit annoyed, "If you hadn't been stopped from killing him in the hallway- you would've had even more blood on your dress."
With a scowl, Gladice nodded. "You still owe me a new dress."
Sighing again, Harold took her arm. "It's time to leave," he turned to his comrades, "Is the room secured?"
"Yes, sir."
Nodding, Harold led Gladice out of the room. The other men followed, walking backwards to keep their guns on the pilots. One reached down to pick up Hiiro's firearm. "You won't be needing this."
The door was slammed closed behind them.
Hiiro helped Duo into a chair and hurried over to Trowa. "How bad is it?" He questioned.
"It should be fine," Trowa said quietly, lying through his teeth, "If I get to a hospital soon enough." He winced, "Help Quatre."
Nodding hesitantly, Hiiro stood and walked to Quatre. "Quatre?" He questioned, beginning to untie the ropes.
Duo looked up at the ceiling and his eyes became lifeless again. "Do you hear that?"
Helping Quatre into the chair again, Hiiro asked, "What?"
Nodding, Quatre looked up as well, tears continuing to roll from his eyes. "They've released it…."
"What is it?" Hiiro questioned.
"The virus," Duo whispered, his eyes widening, "It's in the air."
The room fell silent. A cold mist seemed to set on its inhabitants.
"How long until it takes effect?" Hiiro asked quietly.
Duo squeezed his eyes closed and sighed. "They were guessing less than a minute."
Standing shakily, Quatre made his way to Trowa's side. "Does it hurt?"
Trowa shook his head. "I can't feel it."
Leaning over, Quatre kissed his lover gently. "I'm sorry."
Frustration taking a hold of him, Hiiro slumped over next to Duo's chair and held his head in his hands. "I let them hurt you…."
Slowly, Duo brought a hand down and set it on Hiiro's shoulder. "It wasn't your fault. I should have been more careful."
"Quatre," Trowa asked in a wavering voice, "Why were you walking alone? When you were attacked…. Why wasn't one of us with you?"
With a sigh, Quatre took his lover's hand. "It was supposed to be a surprise."
Trowa looked to him with a questioning expression.
A tear slid down Quatre's cheek. "In a week, it's the anniversary of the five of us meeting."
There was a brief silence.
"How much longer?" Duo asked quietly.
Glancing at his watch, Hiiro frowned. "It's been two minutes."
"Well, at least it wasn't as fast as they thought." Duo replied unenthusiastically.
The door to the hallway opened suddenly and Wufei walked in. "They're gone," he said quickly, "There are medics waiting outside."
Noticing that none of the four were making any movements, Wufei glared at them. "I've been working on this for 2 weeks. They didn't release any virus. I exchanged the test-tube with a fake."
He looked over the room with an unhappy expression. "I'll have them come up here."
* * * Epilogue- One Week Later* * *
Hiiro walked quickly through the hospital, Wufei trailing behind. Neither of them spoke to each other, but continued in a business-like way. It wasn't a mission, but it was just as important to both of them.
As they approached the correct room, Hiiro slipped his gun away and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Both pilots walked in awkwardly and closed the door behind them. Trowa was lying half-asleep on the hospital bed, but acknowledged them with a slight nod of the head despite his obvious exhaustion. Quatre was kneeling on the floor beside the bed and held Trowa's hand tightly within his own. Across the small room, Duo sad in a chair sleeping, a small bandage on his forehead.
"Um," Hiiro began awkwardly, "Happy Anniversary."
Wufei nodded next to him.
Duo peaked an eye open at the words. "You remembered?"
Blushing slightly, Hiiro nodded. "I wouldn't forget."
"You're blushing," Duo said with a laugh, "You see that, Hiiro's blushing?"
"No, I'm not." Hiiro replied angrily as he reddened more.
"Yes you are!" Duo chuckled, "You're blushing!"
Quatre smiled and kissed Trowa's hand. "Happy Anniversary." He whispered.
A small grin coming to his own dry lips, Trowa replied, "Happy Anniversary."
"Duo, I didn't blush."
"I've got four witnesses! Didn't he blush?"
"A blushing bride."
"Shut up, Chang!"
"Does anyone have a camera? We need to record this historical moment."
"I have a camera."
"No, you don't."
*click*
"…. Okay, Okay! I'll put the camera down."
* Try to live the love, the dreams,
And finally, the tears.*
End
Please review! ::faints:: that's over 3 times longer than most chapters. Good reading ::pats on shoulder::