Chapter 26- Life and Death
Duo walked down the line of cold steel, passing Zero, Heavyarms, and Sandrock, before coming to Deathscythe Hell. Standing right next to it was Knightsaber.
He had convinced Gilly to stay behind and not put herself through any more stress. He wanted her to live as long as she could until...
Hopes failed, hearts shattered, love deadened, what was he to do when his world suddenly began to fall apart? He would fight, that's what. Whether Gilly was going to die or not, he had to fight for the other things he believed in, peace.
The mechanical sound of Knightsaber's door brought him out of his reverie. He looked in the direction of the sound, and sure enough, there was Gilly boarding the Gundam.
"What are you doing?!" He called as he jumped up to Deathscythe's door.
"I'm coming too!" She called back.
"No!" He yelled, drawing the attention of the workers and a few of the other pilots.
"What do you mean, 'no'?!"
"What the hell do you think I mean?! I am not letting you die faster!"
She jumped over to Duo's platform. There were tears forming in her eyes when she grabbed his shoulders. "Duo," She said firmly, and yet her voice still carried a gentle tone, "I will not give in and just die. As long as I'm alive I will fight for what I believe in. I believe in you, my first and last thought of every day as long as I'm alive, and forever after. "I find I cannot rest in peace knowing the one I love is out there risking his life for what he believes in, and I am not. There's a way, an angle, I'm not seeing, and I will find it, I will grab it and use it. If I am to die, it will be fighting for what I love and believe in, not alone in my bed, waiting. I can't do that."
"And if it shortens your life, rather than saving you...?"
"So be it. At least I'll be by your side, fighting with you, and for you." She put her arms around his neck. "I love you, I will never be able to just leave and not protect you, no matter how think you don't need it."
Duo's movements froze, she wanted a chance to find a way, and this might be it, he couldn't stop her. He couldn't bring himself to hold her, to give her false hope, and how he wanted to. His want overrode everything and he threw his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, cradling her, comforting her, possibly even holding her for the very last time.
To think, he told himself, me, a Gundam pilot, so easily swayed when it comes to her. He smiled inwardly. Heero's not the only one, we're all human...
* * * * *
"All systems go." Gilly whispered, not really needing to say it, but it made her feel a little better. "Knightsaber," She said a little softer, "please, help me protect him."
Dropping out of the hanger and flying directly into battle, always seemed somehow exhilarating to her, and this time especially, not only because it would be her last battle, but it was looking to be the final battle for everyone. Milliardo Peacecraft would not win, and neither would Trieze Kushrenada, they would see to that.
Noin flew close behind with Sumire in tow, and the Gundams leading the way. The battlefield came sooner than she had expected. It was here, and the fight had already begun.
* * * * *
Where is he? She asked herself silently. Growling she took off down the line of battle, sending a few mobile dolls to hell as she went. He was off fighting; she knew that, but where?
Her worry fluttered when she came in contact with a familiar suit.
"Tak!" She screamed. "Get the hell out of my way!"
"I won't fight you," He informed her, "I intend to get you back."
"Tak! You never had me to begin with!"
"That's where you're wrong. I'll get you and Sumire back. He can't have you for his harem, you're mine!" He yelled as he took off.
Gilly watched him go. He's gone mad. She concluded, as she went the opposite direction. Once again she bumped into someone she didn't ever want to see again.
"You are doing well, Ms. Hathaway." Came his smooth voice.
"What do you want?" She sneered.
"To speak with you, of course." Replied the Tallgeese II's pilot.
"What decent thing could I possibly have to say to you?"
"Nothing I would imagine."
"Exactly, now if you'll excuse me..."
His beam sword blocked the way she was planning to take. She turned to him with a look of total disgust on her face.
"I won't fight you, Trieze. It's not my fight. I will say this, however.
"You are an evil person and you will get yours. I could never punish you enough for all that you have done. God will never forgive you, and I hope you know that. I will forever hold you in contempt. Once I admired you ability, but now it's all a bunch of bullshit. Go to hell, Trieze, just go to hell."
"Than forgiveness is out of the question?"
"You betcha." Gilly smiled, as she watched the other Gundam coming towards them. "Wake up and smell the Gundanium, Trieze, your ships just come in."
*Author's note*- Sorry, I couldn't help the Gundanium crack...
Trieze looked to see what she was talking about, and Gilly took that moment to leave, and smacking the Tallgeese II in the head as a good-bye gift made her feel better as she left the battle to Wufei.
"Hello, Trieze." She heard Wufei say as she flew off.
The synapse pulse made a wave through her mind. Something was wrong, very wrong. Looking around, she allowed the pulse to guide her in the right direction. She felt her body began to shake, slowly at first, than more rapidly. She shook away the growing pain, and flew off toward the bad feeling.
Her heart began to race, and she saw what gave her that awful feeling in her stomach.
Synapse pulse. Suddenly something came alive within her, something she didn't even know existed. A voice within herself, a voice that seemed to know her very well. An inner-self that provided a form of adrenaline, strength to be used as a trumph card.
Fight. It told her. It was Takara Nokozan with a huge beam cannon. What's he up to? She asked herself.
No good. Replied the voice.
Cautiously, Gilly approached him. She heard him over the radio. He was speaking in a low voice, but she still heard him.
"Now, you will pay for taking them from me."
She didn't need to look where Tak aimed, she already knew.
"Tak!" She yelled, drawing his attention.
He looked her way. "I'll free you, Gilly!"
"Tak!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.
She raced toward him, but it would be too late. She was pushing her limits as is, there was no way to win.
Don't you dare give up! It told her.
Pulse. Stop it! Let her live. Pulse. No!
Pulling up, Gilly raced towards the direction in which Tak was firing. Too absorbed in his vengeance, Tak didn't see Gilly on her way to help Duo, nor did he see Sumire coming p fast from behind.
"Die." He snarled as he pulled the trigger.
Let her win, help her once more, Knightsaber, let her save her love! The voice yelled.
Screaming, Gilly raced for Duo. "Duo!" She cried. "I won't let you have him, NO!"
I will protect him! I will not lose! Losing is not an option! Never give in! Never give up! Hope is never lost! The thoughts raced through her mind, and finally the voice and her were one.
Knightsaber, you will not kill me, I will save him! Just lend me your strength once more!
* * * * *
Duo looked up as the beam of light came at him.
"What the...?" He asked himself aloud.
The light was suddenly blocked from view, and all he could see was an explosion. Gilly...
* * * * *
Her heart nearly exploded as she flung herself in front of the Deathscythe Gundam. Duo. The only thought that kept her from loosing consciousness, as Gundanium chips and other shrapnel hit her all over her body.
Pulse. It still wasn't over. Her screams filled the air as her body and soul were being ripped from each other, and shredded to pieces at the same time.
After the explosions stopped, there was silence.
* * * * *
Is she dead? He asked himself silently.
"Gilly!" He called to his love. "Gilly, answer me!"
A soft sound came from the wreckage that was once Knightsaber.
"Gilly! Are you alive?! Answer me, dammit!"
"Duo..." Came a fragile reply.
"Oh God, you're alive."
No answer.
"Gilly!"
* * * * *
"Takara Nokozan! You bastard!" She screamed with all of her hatred added to her voice.
"It's not fair..." He whispered.
"You're a monster, you ass! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"I'm freeing you..." Takara gasped.
"You idiot! Moron! I am free! Ever since I left Trieze, I have been free!"
"She wasn't supposed to save him..." He protested.
"Yes! She was! She loves him Takara, not you! What makes you hate him more?! That he loves Gilly? Is it that she loves him back? Or, is it that I left?! We left Tak, because we want to fight for what you believe in!"
"And what do you believe in, Sumire Okotta?" He said firmly.
"You, Tak, I believe in you. Or I did. But, now I see what you are, a monster!"
"I'm not a monster." He argued.
"Tak! Why would you kill the only thing sustaining Gilly's life?"
"I..."
"Choose now, Tak. What do you believe in?"
She turned her back to go help Gilly when she heard the explosion. Spinning around wildly, she caught the end of what had happened.
"Why," She whispered, "Tak?"
* * * * *
She opened her eyes. She hadn't been asleep; she had just felt the need to rest her eyes.
There was burning, like knives in her physical body, and indescribable pain in her heart and soul. Was she dead? Was she in hell? No. No, hell was worse. She was still alive, barely, she thought.
The light was dim. A green, glowing light that seemed very close. She heard sounds, too. No, not sounds, voices. Two of them. One was the voice of a friend, and the other was like music. Full of compassion, love, understanding, warmth, care, and love. She wished she could remember the name of the voices' owners. Her head hurt too much too much to think.
"Gilly!" He called to her. Yes, his voice was for her, and her alone. What was his name?
"Gilly!" The voice seemed insistent.
Abruptly, the words flew out of her mouth at a hoarse scream. "Duo! I'm here! I'm alive!"
That's his name. She thought.
"Gilly! I'm taking you back!" He called.
"No!" She heard herself scream unexpectedly.
"But, why..." Was all he could manage.
"No. You stay and continue to help, I know you want to, it's okay." Oh, how she wanted him to take her back and hold her when it was all ending.
"Gilly, I want to..."
"I'll take her back." Sumire cut him off. "I'll take good care of her."
"But, I..."
"Duo, I'll be okay." She assured him, even though it was a lie.
"Very well, we'll finish here, you go rest."
"Of course."
With great difficulty, the two parted ways. Gilly had to force herself not to call to him and beg him to stay. Sumire's Leo suit pushed the ruined Knightsaber towards Peacemillion
"I love you." She whispered.
* * * * *
Sumire pushed the Gundam into the hanger. When the airlocks were sealed she ran out of her Leo suit.
"Someone! We need a doctor! Gilly's hurt!" She called.
A woman in a green army suit ran to assist her in getting Gilly to the medical wing. She prayed it wasn't too late.
* * * * *
Gilly felt hands pulling her from her Gundam. She watched as Knightsaber got farther and farther away as she was carried down the hall. As they entered the hospital room, Gilly felt the synapse pulse, and was shaken from her trance.
That's it! Her mind screamed.
She suddenly found she was lying on a hospital bed. Sumire and Sally were standing over her.
"Gilly? Are you alright?"
"I have a request..." She whispered.
"Name it!" Sumire said eagerly.
"Tell the people down in the hanger to get Knightsaber out. I don't care how, but do it now."
"Gilly, why?"
Gilly closed her eyes.
"What are you planning to do?"
"I'll level with you Sumire."
Gilly opened her eyes and noticed Sally leaving the room. "You don't have to go." She said meekly.
"What is it, Gilly?" Sally asked.
"If I succeed, my life will no longer be in jeopardy. But, if I fail I'll die, simple."
"What are you planning to do?! And what has Knightsaber to do with it?!" Sumire blurted.
"If I live, I'll tell you."
"Gilly..."
"I'd also like you to leave. I don't know what will happen."
"I'll go warn the hanger." Sumire said quietly. She made for the door. After she closed it, Gilly could see her running down the hall.
"I have to go get something, so I'll be right back." Sally sighed.
"Thank you, Sally."
Gilly moved over on her side, facing the curtain. The sound of heavy breathing had caught her attention. Her heart went out to her, but she still held her in contempt to some extent.
"Hello, Hilde." Gilly said in a heavy whisper.
"I heard. What are you planning to do?" Came the response from a body that was weaker than her own.
"I plan on risking my life to save it."
"I want to apologize."
"It's not necessary."
"But it is. I love him, but he clearly doesn't return that feeling. Well, he does, just not for me. I was jealous, I didn't want to believe I'd lost him, but it's true..."
"You haven't lost him, and he does love you," She paused, "just not in the way you'd most like."
Hilde gave a muffled laugh, followed by a choke and coughing.
"I'm sorry, too, Hilde. I feel I've taken him from you..."
"NO!" Came her very forceful reply. She coughed. "No. I never had him to begin with, he's a friend."
"Hilde, I have a favor to ask of you. Just listen before you give your answer. Okay?"
"Kay."
"I may not live through this stunt I'm about to pull. If I don't," She choked back the tears and swallowed the lump in her throat, "will you take care of him for me. Knowing he is alive and happy, even if it isn't with me, I feel joyous, it's my own form of selfishness."
"Not only will you live, Gilly, because you're a Gundam pilot, a strong one at that, but I can't make that promise."
Gilly heard her begin to cry. She was in so much pain it hurt Gilly to allow her to even talk.
"Why?" Was all she managed through clenched teeth and knowing.
"My wounds are internal, and they can't stop the bleeding. I will die. I can't stop it. I'm not as strong as you."
"That's a lie."
"I'm sorry, Gilly, I can't make that promise."
Gilly gathered her strength, and stood up. Limping, she managed to get over to where Hilde lay. Her heart almost stopped. It was bad. Hilde looked as though she'd been run over and through.
"Hilde..."
"Skip it."
"No." She sighed. "Hilde, my friend, thank you."
"For what?!" She sneered.
"For helping me and Duo find each other. For a long time I though it impossible, but you and a few other people helped us to be together. Chances that we won't be together have risen again..."
"You'll live. You're strong, invincible."
"I'll have them take you out of here."
"I'll stay, my friend."
"No. I don't know what'll happen, I don't want anyone to be around in case I explode," She paused, "or something."
Hilde giggled.
"Thanks, Hilde."
"You're welcome, Gilly."
Gilly collapsed back onto the bed just as Sally walked in. Gilly's eyes moved to Hilde's bed, and Sally got the message.
"Thanks." Gilly whispered.
Sally wheeled Hilde out, who was currently unconscious. Sumire looked in the door, nodded that Knightsaber was out, but was immediately shooed out by Sally. Gilly waved good-bye, and was than left in silence. Alone with her thoughts, she could hear death's footsteps coming closer and closer.
"Knightsaber." She said quietly to herself, and to the Gundam. "I've figured it out."
Duo. He was her strength. I will not die. For you, I will beat this. I've solved the mystery as to what's killing me.
"Knightsaber." She whispered. "If you can control me while I'm not inside you, than who's to say I can't control you from outside?" She asked herself.
She closed her azure eyes, shutting out the tears. She needed to be strong for this. For Duo, for herself. She felt the synapse pulse become clearer in her mind. Her heart began to race. This was it. A matter of life and death. She had to win, needed to win, to live again.
Duo.
Pulse.
No, I won't let this win!
Pulse.
"Duo."
She could feel it. Pulse.
Where's the self-detonation switch?
Pulse.
"Where is it?!" She asked louder.
Pulse. Pulse.
"Where the hell is it?!" Her voice grew louder still.
Duo. Pulse.
"NO! I will never give up!"
Pulse.
"Never! My life is mine!"
Pulse.
"Duo!"
There! There it is!
Pulse.
"No! Not yet! I still have to do this!"
With all of her heart, mind, and soul, Gilly switched it.
"DUO!!!" Her scream filled the halls of Peacemillion, shattering hearts.
* * * * *
Duo looked towards Peacemillion. An explosion went off, and suddenly he felt her skin, her soft lips, he heard her voice, smelled her hair, felt her presence. She was calling him.
"God dammit!!!" He screamed. "You damn well better be okay!!!"
Duo walked down the line of cold steel, passing Zero, Heavyarms, and Sandrock, before coming to Deathscythe Hell. Standing right next to it was Knightsaber.
He had convinced Gilly to stay behind and not put herself through any more stress. He wanted her to live as long as she could until...
Hopes failed, hearts shattered, love deadened, what was he to do when his world suddenly began to fall apart? He would fight, that's what. Whether Gilly was going to die or not, he had to fight for the other things he believed in, peace.
The mechanical sound of Knightsaber's door brought him out of his reverie. He looked in the direction of the sound, and sure enough, there was Gilly boarding the Gundam.
"What are you doing?!" He called as he jumped up to Deathscythe's door.
"I'm coming too!" She called back.
"No!" He yelled, drawing the attention of the workers and a few of the other pilots.
"What do you mean, 'no'?!"
"What the hell do you think I mean?! I am not letting you die faster!"
She jumped over to Duo's platform. There were tears forming in her eyes when she grabbed his shoulders. "Duo," She said firmly, and yet her voice still carried a gentle tone, "I will not give in and just die. As long as I'm alive I will fight for what I believe in. I believe in you, my first and last thought of every day as long as I'm alive, and forever after. "I find I cannot rest in peace knowing the one I love is out there risking his life for what he believes in, and I am not. There's a way, an angle, I'm not seeing, and I will find it, I will grab it and use it. If I am to die, it will be fighting for what I love and believe in, not alone in my bed, waiting. I can't do that."
"And if it shortens your life, rather than saving you...?"
"So be it. At least I'll be by your side, fighting with you, and for you." She put her arms around his neck. "I love you, I will never be able to just leave and not protect you, no matter how think you don't need it."
Duo's movements froze, she wanted a chance to find a way, and this might be it, he couldn't stop her. He couldn't bring himself to hold her, to give her false hope, and how he wanted to. His want overrode everything and he threw his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, cradling her, comforting her, possibly even holding her for the very last time.
To think, he told himself, me, a Gundam pilot, so easily swayed when it comes to her. He smiled inwardly. Heero's not the only one, we're all human...
* * * * *
"All systems go." Gilly whispered, not really needing to say it, but it made her feel a little better. "Knightsaber," She said a little softer, "please, help me protect him."
Dropping out of the hanger and flying directly into battle, always seemed somehow exhilarating to her, and this time especially, not only because it would be her last battle, but it was looking to be the final battle for everyone. Milliardo Peacecraft would not win, and neither would Trieze Kushrenada, they would see to that.
Noin flew close behind with Sumire in tow, and the Gundams leading the way. The battlefield came sooner than she had expected. It was here, and the fight had already begun.
* * * * *
Where is he? She asked herself silently. Growling she took off down the line of battle, sending a few mobile dolls to hell as she went. He was off fighting; she knew that, but where?
Her worry fluttered when she came in contact with a familiar suit.
"Tak!" She screamed. "Get the hell out of my way!"
"I won't fight you," He informed her, "I intend to get you back."
"Tak! You never had me to begin with!"
"That's where you're wrong. I'll get you and Sumire back. He can't have you for his harem, you're mine!" He yelled as he took off.
Gilly watched him go. He's gone mad. She concluded, as she went the opposite direction. Once again she bumped into someone she didn't ever want to see again.
"You are doing well, Ms. Hathaway." Came his smooth voice.
"What do you want?" She sneered.
"To speak with you, of course." Replied the Tallgeese II's pilot.
"What decent thing could I possibly have to say to you?"
"Nothing I would imagine."
"Exactly, now if you'll excuse me..."
His beam sword blocked the way she was planning to take. She turned to him with a look of total disgust on her face.
"I won't fight you, Trieze. It's not my fight. I will say this, however.
"You are an evil person and you will get yours. I could never punish you enough for all that you have done. God will never forgive you, and I hope you know that. I will forever hold you in contempt. Once I admired you ability, but now it's all a bunch of bullshit. Go to hell, Trieze, just go to hell."
"Than forgiveness is out of the question?"
"You betcha." Gilly smiled, as she watched the other Gundam coming towards them. "Wake up and smell the Gundanium, Trieze, your ships just come in."
*Author's note*- Sorry, I couldn't help the Gundanium crack...
Trieze looked to see what she was talking about, and Gilly took that moment to leave, and smacking the Tallgeese II in the head as a good-bye gift made her feel better as she left the battle to Wufei.
"Hello, Trieze." She heard Wufei say as she flew off.
The synapse pulse made a wave through her mind. Something was wrong, very wrong. Looking around, she allowed the pulse to guide her in the right direction. She felt her body began to shake, slowly at first, than more rapidly. She shook away the growing pain, and flew off toward the bad feeling.
Her heart began to race, and she saw what gave her that awful feeling in her stomach.
Synapse pulse. Suddenly something came alive within her, something she didn't even know existed. A voice within herself, a voice that seemed to know her very well. An inner-self that provided a form of adrenaline, strength to be used as a trumph card.
Fight. It told her. It was Takara Nokozan with a huge beam cannon. What's he up to? She asked herself.
No good. Replied the voice.
Cautiously, Gilly approached him. She heard him over the radio. He was speaking in a low voice, but she still heard him.
"Now, you will pay for taking them from me."
She didn't need to look where Tak aimed, she already knew.
"Tak!" She yelled, drawing his attention.
He looked her way. "I'll free you, Gilly!"
"Tak!!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.
She raced toward him, but it would be too late. She was pushing her limits as is, there was no way to win.
Don't you dare give up! It told her.
Pulse. Stop it! Let her live. Pulse. No!
Pulling up, Gilly raced towards the direction in which Tak was firing. Too absorbed in his vengeance, Tak didn't see Gilly on her way to help Duo, nor did he see Sumire coming p fast from behind.
"Die." He snarled as he pulled the trigger.
Let her win, help her once more, Knightsaber, let her save her love! The voice yelled.
Screaming, Gilly raced for Duo. "Duo!" She cried. "I won't let you have him, NO!"
I will protect him! I will not lose! Losing is not an option! Never give in! Never give up! Hope is never lost! The thoughts raced through her mind, and finally the voice and her were one.
Knightsaber, you will not kill me, I will save him! Just lend me your strength once more!
* * * * *
Duo looked up as the beam of light came at him.
"What the...?" He asked himself aloud.
The light was suddenly blocked from view, and all he could see was an explosion. Gilly...
* * * * *
Her heart nearly exploded as she flung herself in front of the Deathscythe Gundam. Duo. The only thought that kept her from loosing consciousness, as Gundanium chips and other shrapnel hit her all over her body.
Pulse. It still wasn't over. Her screams filled the air as her body and soul were being ripped from each other, and shredded to pieces at the same time.
After the explosions stopped, there was silence.
* * * * *
Is she dead? He asked himself silently.
"Gilly!" He called to his love. "Gilly, answer me!"
A soft sound came from the wreckage that was once Knightsaber.
"Gilly! Are you alive?! Answer me, dammit!"
"Duo..." Came a fragile reply.
"Oh God, you're alive."
No answer.
"Gilly!"
* * * * *
"Takara Nokozan! You bastard!" She screamed with all of her hatred added to her voice.
"It's not fair..." He whispered.
"You're a monster, you ass! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"I'm freeing you..." Takara gasped.
"You idiot! Moron! I am free! Ever since I left Trieze, I have been free!"
"She wasn't supposed to save him..." He protested.
"Yes! She was! She loves him Takara, not you! What makes you hate him more?! That he loves Gilly? Is it that she loves him back? Or, is it that I left?! We left Tak, because we want to fight for what you believe in!"
"And what do you believe in, Sumire Okotta?" He said firmly.
"You, Tak, I believe in you. Or I did. But, now I see what you are, a monster!"
"I'm not a monster." He argued.
"Tak! Why would you kill the only thing sustaining Gilly's life?"
"I..."
"Choose now, Tak. What do you believe in?"
She turned her back to go help Gilly when she heard the explosion. Spinning around wildly, she caught the end of what had happened.
"Why," She whispered, "Tak?"
* * * * *
She opened her eyes. She hadn't been asleep; she had just felt the need to rest her eyes.
There was burning, like knives in her physical body, and indescribable pain in her heart and soul. Was she dead? Was she in hell? No. No, hell was worse. She was still alive, barely, she thought.
The light was dim. A green, glowing light that seemed very close. She heard sounds, too. No, not sounds, voices. Two of them. One was the voice of a friend, and the other was like music. Full of compassion, love, understanding, warmth, care, and love. She wished she could remember the name of the voices' owners. Her head hurt too much too much to think.
"Gilly!" He called to her. Yes, his voice was for her, and her alone. What was his name?
"Gilly!" The voice seemed insistent.
Abruptly, the words flew out of her mouth at a hoarse scream. "Duo! I'm here! I'm alive!"
That's his name. She thought.
"Gilly! I'm taking you back!" He called.
"No!" She heard herself scream unexpectedly.
"But, why..." Was all he could manage.
"No. You stay and continue to help, I know you want to, it's okay." Oh, how she wanted him to take her back and hold her when it was all ending.
"Gilly, I want to..."
"I'll take her back." Sumire cut him off. "I'll take good care of her."
"But, I..."
"Duo, I'll be okay." She assured him, even though it was a lie.
"Very well, we'll finish here, you go rest."
"Of course."
With great difficulty, the two parted ways. Gilly had to force herself not to call to him and beg him to stay. Sumire's Leo suit pushed the ruined Knightsaber towards Peacemillion
"I love you." She whispered.
* * * * *
Sumire pushed the Gundam into the hanger. When the airlocks were sealed she ran out of her Leo suit.
"Someone! We need a doctor! Gilly's hurt!" She called.
A woman in a green army suit ran to assist her in getting Gilly to the medical wing. She prayed it wasn't too late.
* * * * *
Gilly felt hands pulling her from her Gundam. She watched as Knightsaber got farther and farther away as she was carried down the hall. As they entered the hospital room, Gilly felt the synapse pulse, and was shaken from her trance.
That's it! Her mind screamed.
She suddenly found she was lying on a hospital bed. Sumire and Sally were standing over her.
"Gilly? Are you alright?"
"I have a request..." She whispered.
"Name it!" Sumire said eagerly.
"Tell the people down in the hanger to get Knightsaber out. I don't care how, but do it now."
"Gilly, why?"
Gilly closed her eyes.
"What are you planning to do?"
"I'll level with you Sumire."
Gilly opened her eyes and noticed Sally leaving the room. "You don't have to go." She said meekly.
"What is it, Gilly?" Sally asked.
"If I succeed, my life will no longer be in jeopardy. But, if I fail I'll die, simple."
"What are you planning to do?! And what has Knightsaber to do with it?!" Sumire blurted.
"If I live, I'll tell you."
"Gilly..."
"I'd also like you to leave. I don't know what will happen."
"I'll go warn the hanger." Sumire said quietly. She made for the door. After she closed it, Gilly could see her running down the hall.
"I have to go get something, so I'll be right back." Sally sighed.
"Thank you, Sally."
Gilly moved over on her side, facing the curtain. The sound of heavy breathing had caught her attention. Her heart went out to her, but she still held her in contempt to some extent.
"Hello, Hilde." Gilly said in a heavy whisper.
"I heard. What are you planning to do?" Came the response from a body that was weaker than her own.
"I plan on risking my life to save it."
"I want to apologize."
"It's not necessary."
"But it is. I love him, but he clearly doesn't return that feeling. Well, he does, just not for me. I was jealous, I didn't want to believe I'd lost him, but it's true..."
"You haven't lost him, and he does love you," She paused, "just not in the way you'd most like."
Hilde gave a muffled laugh, followed by a choke and coughing.
"I'm sorry, too, Hilde. I feel I've taken him from you..."
"NO!" Came her very forceful reply. She coughed. "No. I never had him to begin with, he's a friend."
"Hilde, I have a favor to ask of you. Just listen before you give your answer. Okay?"
"Kay."
"I may not live through this stunt I'm about to pull. If I don't," She choked back the tears and swallowed the lump in her throat, "will you take care of him for me. Knowing he is alive and happy, even if it isn't with me, I feel joyous, it's my own form of selfishness."
"Not only will you live, Gilly, because you're a Gundam pilot, a strong one at that, but I can't make that promise."
Gilly heard her begin to cry. She was in so much pain it hurt Gilly to allow her to even talk.
"Why?" Was all she managed through clenched teeth and knowing.
"My wounds are internal, and they can't stop the bleeding. I will die. I can't stop it. I'm not as strong as you."
"That's a lie."
"I'm sorry, Gilly, I can't make that promise."
Gilly gathered her strength, and stood up. Limping, she managed to get over to where Hilde lay. Her heart almost stopped. It was bad. Hilde looked as though she'd been run over and through.
"Hilde..."
"Skip it."
"No." She sighed. "Hilde, my friend, thank you."
"For what?!" She sneered.
"For helping me and Duo find each other. For a long time I though it impossible, but you and a few other people helped us to be together. Chances that we won't be together have risen again..."
"You'll live. You're strong, invincible."
"I'll have them take you out of here."
"I'll stay, my friend."
"No. I don't know what'll happen, I don't want anyone to be around in case I explode," She paused, "or something."
Hilde giggled.
"Thanks, Hilde."
"You're welcome, Gilly."
Gilly collapsed back onto the bed just as Sally walked in. Gilly's eyes moved to Hilde's bed, and Sally got the message.
"Thanks." Gilly whispered.
Sally wheeled Hilde out, who was currently unconscious. Sumire looked in the door, nodded that Knightsaber was out, but was immediately shooed out by Sally. Gilly waved good-bye, and was than left in silence. Alone with her thoughts, she could hear death's footsteps coming closer and closer.
"Knightsaber." She said quietly to herself, and to the Gundam. "I've figured it out."
Duo. He was her strength. I will not die. For you, I will beat this. I've solved the mystery as to what's killing me.
"Knightsaber." She whispered. "If you can control me while I'm not inside you, than who's to say I can't control you from outside?" She asked herself.
She closed her azure eyes, shutting out the tears. She needed to be strong for this. For Duo, for herself. She felt the synapse pulse become clearer in her mind. Her heart began to race. This was it. A matter of life and death. She had to win, needed to win, to live again.
Duo.
Pulse.
No, I won't let this win!
Pulse.
"Duo."
She could feel it. Pulse.
Where's the self-detonation switch?
Pulse.
"Where is it?!" She asked louder.
Pulse. Pulse.
"Where the hell is it?!" Her voice grew louder still.
Duo. Pulse.
"NO! I will never give up!"
Pulse.
"Never! My life is mine!"
Pulse.
"Duo!"
There! There it is!
Pulse.
"No! Not yet! I still have to do this!"
With all of her heart, mind, and soul, Gilly switched it.
"DUO!!!" Her scream filled the halls of Peacemillion, shattering hearts.
* * * * *
Duo looked towards Peacemillion. An explosion went off, and suddenly he felt her skin, her soft lips, he heard her voice, smelled her hair, felt her presence. She was calling him.
"God dammit!!!" He screamed. "You damn well better be okay!!!"