Chapter 25- Friends, Foes, and Fate
*Authoress' note- I'm assuming you all know the rest of the story to Gundam Wing, so here on out it's gonna be just my fan-fic, along with a few of the important bits from the actual story line. Minasan enjoy! ^_~.
Duo entered the room. "Where in the world has Heero gone?!"
"Out on the Virgo carrier we recovered," Trowa replied, "you know where he's gone."
"And he left Wing Zero? What, he's gonna have a fist fight with Zechs?"
"Knowing him, he'll fight anyway he can." Wufei smirked.
"I'm sure that's not the only reason he's gone." Quatre added.
"Wait a minute! You mean he went over there to save that girl?!" Duo asked.
"Yeah...."
"In that case, I was giving him too much credit. I had him figured as the most sane guy among the lot of us." Wufei sneered as he worked on his muscles.
"Well, it just goes to show ya how powerful that girl is to influence a guy like Heero." Trowa smiled, looking up from his magazine.
"Hmph!"
"Wufei, if Heero does bring Relena back, at least welcome her here. It's so easy to hurt a woman's feelings..."
Wufei scowled. Quatre let out a small laugh.
At that moment, Gilly walked into the room. She looked as though she had just woken up, but something was terribly wrong. Sweat dripped from her brow and was wetting her neat ponytail. Although she dressed for combat, she looked miserable and unready to fight. Duo didn't notice her at first, and continued the conversation. Wufei looked even more pissed at the sight of Gilly.
"Hey, Quatre!" Duo said, leaning over Quatre's shoulder. "If we're goin' after them, shouldn't we be going?"
"Now isn't the time to be decreasing Peacemillion's defense. Besides, let's leave the two of them alone."
Duo sighed. "You guys really trust Heero." He sighed again, than muttered, "He makes mistakes just like the rest of us."
Silence fell on the group. Gilly couldn't decide whether to move or hold as still as possible. Just then, duo looked up at her with a smile, which faded as quickly as it had appeared. The other three followed Duo's gaze.
"Hi..." Gilly said softly.
Wufei grumbled something about weak women and nightmares and walked toward the door. When he looked back, Trowa shot him a dirty look; Duo's was even dirtier. Quatre bit his lip. As Wufei passed Gilly he gave her a look only she saw. He was scanning her, taking in her sweaty apparel, and sharing a private, and very small, moment of sympathy.
Duo walked up to Gilly very slowly, as though she was a deer and he might frighten her and she'd take off, if he moved too suddenly. He pulled her out the door, into the lonely corridor.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I'm fine." She answered sweetly.
He gave her a suspicious look.
She held up a hand. "Just hot, honest."
Her heart screamed, Tell him.
Her mind answered, Not now, I don't want to worry him. We're finally together.
TELL HIM!
No!
TELL HIM!!!
Not now, dear God, not now! She fought the tears and won with a smile. She and Duo returned to the room.
* * * * *
"You ready, Gilly?" Duo asked.
"Ready?" Came her weak reply.
"To go out again. Can you handle it?"
"Yeah." She walked slowly down the corridor.
"We'll be up against Trieze's force..."
Gilly's fists clenched, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Trieze's Force. She knew what it meant, but how was she going to...
"Gilly?" Duo waved his hand in front of her face.
"Huh?!" Was her startled response.
"What's got you so edgy about fighting Trieze's force? Is it that guy...?" He almost finished.
"No!"
Duo gave her a startled and hurt look.
"No, it's that I don't want to fight Sumire."
"Who's Sumire?"
"I met her when I was with the Trieze Faction. She's a good friend and I don't want to see her get hurt. She can fight fairly well, but if she gets matched up against a Gundam pilot, she's dead. I don't know what I'm gonna do..."
"Go."
"What?"
"Go."
"What do you mean, 'go'?"
"Go get her. Convince her to come back with you to Peacemillion. We'll welcome her here."
"Right." Gilly contemplated a moment, than began walking again. "I told her to leave, but she probably didn't, so I'll try to convince her again. If she doesn't come willingly, than I'll use force, she doesn't deserve to die like that."
"What do you mean?" Duo followed.
"She fights for Takara Nokozan, and she won't leave him to the wolves. Even if he doesn't believe in her or love her, she still loves him. Now that I know who I am, she and I shall have a long talk."
"Kay."
"Thanks, Duo." Gilly stopped again.
Duo walked a few paces in front of her, stopped, and turned to look her in the eye. She refused to make eye contact.
"Gilly," He began, "when we return, please, tell me what's wrong. Don't lie, I know something's wrong, you can't hide from me."
"I know that..."
He seized her hands and pulled them to his chest, forcing her to follow. "You trust me, right?"
"It's," She sniffed, "it's not about that." The tears wouldn't stop, and collapsed into his warm arms. "I'll tell you, but not now, okay?"
"Alright." He whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair. "I'll be here for you, now, and forever."
His kindness made Gilly hate herself. How could she do this to him? How could she hurt him so?
* * * * *
"All systems go!" Gilly called.
"Go get your friend, and I'll be your protection if need be!" Duo replied.
"Gotcha!" Gilly said as she dropped from the hanger into the void of space.
Pulse. The synapse pulse was ever-present now, a constant reminder of all the misfortunes in her life. She could try to ignore it, but it was impossible. What was the solution...?
She saw the line of mobile suits. It wasn't far off, and a fairly small fleet. Trieze was testing them. The soldiers were meant to see what the Gundam's strength was, and then get the hell out of there before they were blown to pieces.
Without thinking, Gilly sped up. She charged right into their ranks and began to fight off the few suits that attacked her, all time calling out Sumire's name.
"Sumire! Sumire, where are you?" She called into the ranks.
No response came. The radios were tuned to each other; she had to hear Gilly's calls.
Gilly noticed two suits apart from everyone, two Leos, just sitting there like blind targets. Duo was off elsewhere; keeping a close eye on her if she needed him.
Gilly charged up to the two mobile suits. "Sumire! Is that you?" She called to them.
One Leo put his beam saber in front of the other. "Take her if you can!" Came a boy's voice.
"Knock it off!" Sumire smacked the other suit and floated towards Gilly.
"You've returned to us?" She asked officially.
"Never." Came Gilly's firm response.
"Gilly? Is it really you?" Her concern almost made Gilly falter.
"Yes, it's me. But, I have not returned to you."
"Than why did you come back?" Asked the male as he pushed forward again.
"Well," Gill began, "definitely not for you, Tak."
"To save a friend in need." She sneered. "Sumire, why didn't you leave?"
"I'll fight for what I believe in, Gilly, and this is it." Sumire replied.
"Than fight for what you believe in, but do not do it on the side of deception!" She pleaded.
"What do you mean?!"
"I, Gilly Hathaway, Gundam pilot, have come to save you. Please, Sumire, come with me. I don't wish for my friends to die. You are nothing but decoys, and Tak knows it."
"Don't listen to her, Sumire!" Tak yelled. "She's lying!"
"What do you mean?" Sumire asked as she pushed forward once again, the spirit gone from her voice.
"This force here is nothing but a test force. The reason Tak came is unknown to me, but you are nothing but puppets. I will not have my friends die that way!" She screamed, fighting the synapse pulse.
The pain was becoming too great for her to handle. She couldn't stay here much longer. It was now or never.
"SUMIRE! COME NOW, OR MORE THAN JUST YOU WILL DIE!" She screamed, through the mask of overwhelming pain.
"Gilly!" Came a shriek. "What's wrong?!"
It was Duo, coming to her rescue.
"Oh, Duo," Gilly managed, "it hurts so much."
White hot, searing pain shot through her head, blinding her from seeing what was happening. She was fighting unconsciousness, unconsciousness that would kill her. But still blinded by the hurt.
No. She told herself. I won't give in. And finally, the pain took out all of her senses, and she emptied her stomach's contents onto the floor of Knightsaber. Very distantly she heard Duo shouting orders to Sumire, to get her to help get Gilly back to Peacemillion.
At least, Gilly thought, I got Sumire to come with us.
* * * * *
She stumbled out of Knightsaber, and suddenly, the ground came up to meet her. Through the blinding white, she could see the floor get closer and closer. She had managed to save herself, but not herself. She hit the ground, hard, and immediately began to hold her stomach and wretched violently. Through the terrifying agony, she could feel the warm hands on her back. Had she the strength, she would have knocked them away, but another violent convulsion in her stomach prevented her from getting rid of the loving hands.
Duo moved her hair back and held, in case her stomach were to lose its contents on the floor (had their been anything left to empty), but it was already long gone.
Very slowly, the pain and wretching sub-sided. Her stomach was sore, but she felt better since it had stopped.
He carefully lifted her up, and led her along one dark corridor after another. She tried to keep up, but the pain kept her stumbling. When she went down, Duo was right there to catch her and lower her to the ground. She crouched down in a frog-like position, with her butt on the ground, as well. He carefully put his arm around her as she wretched a couple more times.
After she stopped, the two sat in the lonely hall for several minutes before Duo spoke.
"You lied to me." He said plainly.
"No," She said sheepishly, "I just didn't tell you everything."
He gave her a gentle glare, which she didn't see through her pain.
"But," She continued in a hoarse whisper, "I shall not lie to you now."
Duo gave her a steady look, as a tear rolled down her cheek. He watched with intensity as it followed her jaw-line to her chin, waited a few seconds, and dripped onto her chest. When he looked back up, into her eyes, she was looking right back into his.
All she could think about was how beautiful his cobalt blue eyes were. Her words were stuck in her throat, just looking into those eyes made her lose herself. She loved him so much, and she was about to break his heart along with her own. She could feel the big, hot tears building in her eyes.
"Duo," She managed.
His comforting hands took up her own. "I'm here for you." He whispered.
Her heart broke. "Duo, I'm dying." She blurted, and closed her eyes.
He stood and backed up half a step. "What?!"
She opened her teary eyes and looked at him. "I don't know why or how, but I..."
"Are you sure?!" He cut her off.
Suddenly, death wouldn't come soon enough. "If I weren't already going to die, I'd kill myself for causing you any pain, but even that wouldn't end the suffering, would it?" Seeing the pain in those dazzling eyes of his, hurt her deeper than just mere emotions, it hurt her heart and soul.
He scratched his nose. "No. No. No." He said softly. "He whispered softly at first. "No! It just can't be!" He shouted.
His shouting only made the tears come faster. Gilly gave a whimpering sob, trying to hold back the unavoidable tears. They came like a spring downpour, and her head slumped between her knees.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. "So sorry." She repeated. She looked up into his eyes. "I am so very sorry." She added a little voice to her apology, than her head slumped again.
She looked when she felt the heat of his body, very close to hers, almost touching. His face was right there. For the first time in all the time she'd known him, Duo had a gloss in his eyes.
The tears that were about to cascade from his elegant eyes were all Gilly could feel. His penetrating gaze made her feel naked. The sea of all emotions are in the eyes, and that's all each could look at. The sun setting on that sea brought no warmth in the freezing cold waters that ripped at their flesh. She began to shiver with the eternity of cold. Duo's eyes seemed suddenly very close. They were closed as well. She wondered why. The tingle of her flesh touching his brought her into the realization that the sea of emotions wasn't cold, but warm and comforting with its passion of love, life, and fulfillment that nothing and no one else could grant.
The feel of his tongue in her mouth reminded her of their first kiss. That being such a happy time, that they could finally be together, and now she was leaving him again.
She closed her eyes against the burning hot tears and threw her arms around his neck, returning the loving warmth. Without thinking, she allowed her heart to run wild. She forced her tongue into his mouth, kissing him with all the strength she had, knowing, it could be their last.
He returned her kiss with equal passion, just as intense. He pressed her against the wall, in her sitting position, her knees on both sides of his torso, clenching tightly to the life she loved, the love she lived for.
*Authoress' note- I'm assuming you all know the rest of the story to Gundam Wing, so here on out it's gonna be just my fan-fic, along with a few of the important bits from the actual story line. Minasan enjoy! ^_~.
Duo entered the room. "Where in the world has Heero gone?!"
"Out on the Virgo carrier we recovered," Trowa replied, "you know where he's gone."
"And he left Wing Zero? What, he's gonna have a fist fight with Zechs?"
"Knowing him, he'll fight anyway he can." Wufei smirked.
"I'm sure that's not the only reason he's gone." Quatre added.
"Wait a minute! You mean he went over there to save that girl?!" Duo asked.
"Yeah...."
"In that case, I was giving him too much credit. I had him figured as the most sane guy among the lot of us." Wufei sneered as he worked on his muscles.
"Well, it just goes to show ya how powerful that girl is to influence a guy like Heero." Trowa smiled, looking up from his magazine.
"Hmph!"
"Wufei, if Heero does bring Relena back, at least welcome her here. It's so easy to hurt a woman's feelings..."
Wufei scowled. Quatre let out a small laugh.
At that moment, Gilly walked into the room. She looked as though she had just woken up, but something was terribly wrong. Sweat dripped from her brow and was wetting her neat ponytail. Although she dressed for combat, she looked miserable and unready to fight. Duo didn't notice her at first, and continued the conversation. Wufei looked even more pissed at the sight of Gilly.
"Hey, Quatre!" Duo said, leaning over Quatre's shoulder. "If we're goin' after them, shouldn't we be going?"
"Now isn't the time to be decreasing Peacemillion's defense. Besides, let's leave the two of them alone."
Duo sighed. "You guys really trust Heero." He sighed again, than muttered, "He makes mistakes just like the rest of us."
Silence fell on the group. Gilly couldn't decide whether to move or hold as still as possible. Just then, duo looked up at her with a smile, which faded as quickly as it had appeared. The other three followed Duo's gaze.
"Hi..." Gilly said softly.
Wufei grumbled something about weak women and nightmares and walked toward the door. When he looked back, Trowa shot him a dirty look; Duo's was even dirtier. Quatre bit his lip. As Wufei passed Gilly he gave her a look only she saw. He was scanning her, taking in her sweaty apparel, and sharing a private, and very small, moment of sympathy.
Duo walked up to Gilly very slowly, as though she was a deer and he might frighten her and she'd take off, if he moved too suddenly. He pulled her out the door, into the lonely corridor.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I'm fine." She answered sweetly.
He gave her a suspicious look.
She held up a hand. "Just hot, honest."
Her heart screamed, Tell him.
Her mind answered, Not now, I don't want to worry him. We're finally together.
TELL HIM!
No!
TELL HIM!!!
Not now, dear God, not now! She fought the tears and won with a smile. She and Duo returned to the room.
* * * * *
"You ready, Gilly?" Duo asked.
"Ready?" Came her weak reply.
"To go out again. Can you handle it?"
"Yeah." She walked slowly down the corridor.
"We'll be up against Trieze's force..."
Gilly's fists clenched, and she stopped dead in her tracks. Trieze's Force. She knew what it meant, but how was she going to...
"Gilly?" Duo waved his hand in front of her face.
"Huh?!" Was her startled response.
"What's got you so edgy about fighting Trieze's force? Is it that guy...?" He almost finished.
"No!"
Duo gave her a startled and hurt look.
"No, it's that I don't want to fight Sumire."
"Who's Sumire?"
"I met her when I was with the Trieze Faction. She's a good friend and I don't want to see her get hurt. She can fight fairly well, but if she gets matched up against a Gundam pilot, she's dead. I don't know what I'm gonna do..."
"Go."
"What?"
"Go."
"What do you mean, 'go'?"
"Go get her. Convince her to come back with you to Peacemillion. We'll welcome her here."
"Right." Gilly contemplated a moment, than began walking again. "I told her to leave, but she probably didn't, so I'll try to convince her again. If she doesn't come willingly, than I'll use force, she doesn't deserve to die like that."
"What do you mean?" Duo followed.
"She fights for Takara Nokozan, and she won't leave him to the wolves. Even if he doesn't believe in her or love her, she still loves him. Now that I know who I am, she and I shall have a long talk."
"Kay."
"Thanks, Duo." Gilly stopped again.
Duo walked a few paces in front of her, stopped, and turned to look her in the eye. She refused to make eye contact.
"Gilly," He began, "when we return, please, tell me what's wrong. Don't lie, I know something's wrong, you can't hide from me."
"I know that..."
He seized her hands and pulled them to his chest, forcing her to follow. "You trust me, right?"
"It's," She sniffed, "it's not about that." The tears wouldn't stop, and collapsed into his warm arms. "I'll tell you, but not now, okay?"
"Alright." He whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair. "I'll be here for you, now, and forever."
His kindness made Gilly hate herself. How could she do this to him? How could she hurt him so?
* * * * *
"All systems go!" Gilly called.
"Go get your friend, and I'll be your protection if need be!" Duo replied.
"Gotcha!" Gilly said as she dropped from the hanger into the void of space.
Pulse. The synapse pulse was ever-present now, a constant reminder of all the misfortunes in her life. She could try to ignore it, but it was impossible. What was the solution...?
She saw the line of mobile suits. It wasn't far off, and a fairly small fleet. Trieze was testing them. The soldiers were meant to see what the Gundam's strength was, and then get the hell out of there before they were blown to pieces.
Without thinking, Gilly sped up. She charged right into their ranks and began to fight off the few suits that attacked her, all time calling out Sumire's name.
"Sumire! Sumire, where are you?" She called into the ranks.
No response came. The radios were tuned to each other; she had to hear Gilly's calls.
Gilly noticed two suits apart from everyone, two Leos, just sitting there like blind targets. Duo was off elsewhere; keeping a close eye on her if she needed him.
Gilly charged up to the two mobile suits. "Sumire! Is that you?" She called to them.
One Leo put his beam saber in front of the other. "Take her if you can!" Came a boy's voice.
"Knock it off!" Sumire smacked the other suit and floated towards Gilly.
"You've returned to us?" She asked officially.
"Never." Came Gilly's firm response.
"Gilly? Is it really you?" Her concern almost made Gilly falter.
"Yes, it's me. But, I have not returned to you."
"Than why did you come back?" Asked the male as he pushed forward again.
"Well," Gill began, "definitely not for you, Tak."
"To save a friend in need." She sneered. "Sumire, why didn't you leave?"
"I'll fight for what I believe in, Gilly, and this is it." Sumire replied.
"Than fight for what you believe in, but do not do it on the side of deception!" She pleaded.
"What do you mean?!"
"I, Gilly Hathaway, Gundam pilot, have come to save you. Please, Sumire, come with me. I don't wish for my friends to die. You are nothing but decoys, and Tak knows it."
"Don't listen to her, Sumire!" Tak yelled. "She's lying!"
"What do you mean?" Sumire asked as she pushed forward once again, the spirit gone from her voice.
"This force here is nothing but a test force. The reason Tak came is unknown to me, but you are nothing but puppets. I will not have my friends die that way!" She screamed, fighting the synapse pulse.
The pain was becoming too great for her to handle. She couldn't stay here much longer. It was now or never.
"SUMIRE! COME NOW, OR MORE THAN JUST YOU WILL DIE!" She screamed, through the mask of overwhelming pain.
"Gilly!" Came a shriek. "What's wrong?!"
It was Duo, coming to her rescue.
"Oh, Duo," Gilly managed, "it hurts so much."
White hot, searing pain shot through her head, blinding her from seeing what was happening. She was fighting unconsciousness, unconsciousness that would kill her. But still blinded by the hurt.
No. She told herself. I won't give in. And finally, the pain took out all of her senses, and she emptied her stomach's contents onto the floor of Knightsaber. Very distantly she heard Duo shouting orders to Sumire, to get her to help get Gilly back to Peacemillion.
At least, Gilly thought, I got Sumire to come with us.
* * * * *
She stumbled out of Knightsaber, and suddenly, the ground came up to meet her. Through the blinding white, she could see the floor get closer and closer. She had managed to save herself, but not herself. She hit the ground, hard, and immediately began to hold her stomach and wretched violently. Through the terrifying agony, she could feel the warm hands on her back. Had she the strength, she would have knocked them away, but another violent convulsion in her stomach prevented her from getting rid of the loving hands.
Duo moved her hair back and held, in case her stomach were to lose its contents on the floor (had their been anything left to empty), but it was already long gone.
Very slowly, the pain and wretching sub-sided. Her stomach was sore, but she felt better since it had stopped.
He carefully lifted her up, and led her along one dark corridor after another. She tried to keep up, but the pain kept her stumbling. When she went down, Duo was right there to catch her and lower her to the ground. She crouched down in a frog-like position, with her butt on the ground, as well. He carefully put his arm around her as she wretched a couple more times.
After she stopped, the two sat in the lonely hall for several minutes before Duo spoke.
"You lied to me." He said plainly.
"No," She said sheepishly, "I just didn't tell you everything."
He gave her a gentle glare, which she didn't see through her pain.
"But," She continued in a hoarse whisper, "I shall not lie to you now."
Duo gave her a steady look, as a tear rolled down her cheek. He watched with intensity as it followed her jaw-line to her chin, waited a few seconds, and dripped onto her chest. When he looked back up, into her eyes, she was looking right back into his.
All she could think about was how beautiful his cobalt blue eyes were. Her words were stuck in her throat, just looking into those eyes made her lose herself. She loved him so much, and she was about to break his heart along with her own. She could feel the big, hot tears building in her eyes.
"Duo," She managed.
His comforting hands took up her own. "I'm here for you." He whispered.
Her heart broke. "Duo, I'm dying." She blurted, and closed her eyes.
He stood and backed up half a step. "What?!"
She opened her teary eyes and looked at him. "I don't know why or how, but I..."
"Are you sure?!" He cut her off.
Suddenly, death wouldn't come soon enough. "If I weren't already going to die, I'd kill myself for causing you any pain, but even that wouldn't end the suffering, would it?" Seeing the pain in those dazzling eyes of his, hurt her deeper than just mere emotions, it hurt her heart and soul.
He scratched his nose. "No. No. No." He said softly. "He whispered softly at first. "No! It just can't be!" He shouted.
His shouting only made the tears come faster. Gilly gave a whimpering sob, trying to hold back the unavoidable tears. They came like a spring downpour, and her head slumped between her knees.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. "So sorry." She repeated. She looked up into his eyes. "I am so very sorry." She added a little voice to her apology, than her head slumped again.
She looked when she felt the heat of his body, very close to hers, almost touching. His face was right there. For the first time in all the time she'd known him, Duo had a gloss in his eyes.
The tears that were about to cascade from his elegant eyes were all Gilly could feel. His penetrating gaze made her feel naked. The sea of all emotions are in the eyes, and that's all each could look at. The sun setting on that sea brought no warmth in the freezing cold waters that ripped at their flesh. She began to shiver with the eternity of cold. Duo's eyes seemed suddenly very close. They were closed as well. She wondered why. The tingle of her flesh touching his brought her into the realization that the sea of emotions wasn't cold, but warm and comforting with its passion of love, life, and fulfillment that nothing and no one else could grant.
The feel of his tongue in her mouth reminded her of their first kiss. That being such a happy time, that they could finally be together, and now she was leaving him again.
She closed her eyes against the burning hot tears and threw her arms around his neck, returning the loving warmth. Without thinking, she allowed her heart to run wild. She forced her tongue into his mouth, kissing him with all the strength she had, knowing, it could be their last.
He returned her kiss with equal passion, just as intense. He pressed her against the wall, in her sitting position, her knees on both sides of his torso, clenching tightly to the life she loved, the love she lived for.