Disclaimer - all that belongs to me are my drooling dogs A temperamental
lap top and this moth eaten plot line, not really worth the bother of
suing are they? Unless you want to be drooled to death...
A/N ---- Ok, duo to extensive bugging by my friend Ben Ashley, who works under an author alias that I could never remember if my laptops life depended on it, I have updated this story, it appears you ppl like it, so well, as usual all I will ask is one review to carry it on.
This fic is dedicated to my wonderful friend Banshee, who I still believe is one of the most fantastic authors I have ever known, my friend Ben (still cant remember his alias) and also another fantastic author, Cobalt Violet, I urge you ppl to read her fic dark passion, and help me encourage her to post more!! Its fantastic!! I LOVE you guys!!!!
Ummm, this chapter gas not been Beta'd, so it could be rather, well, shabby around the edges, but I have taken on quite a few other tasks which are limiting my time for polishing my own works, so, this is what we have, it has taken ages, but I hope it will be with it!!
All the best and I hope you enjoy, Lora Helen.
Review Thank you's at end.
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And Stranger had laughed and picked up the phone to arrange the next link in his chain, the destruction of yet another innocent victim.
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It was 10:30 AM, and for the first time in what seemed like months, but was definitely weeks, Heero Yuy was allowed to sleep. But the problem was, he couldn't.
He had gotten home after completing his "Mission" and after a trip to the super market, he now had enough supplies to keep him alive, well, providing he thought to eat them, and had crawled straight into bed, he had hoped sleep would come, and in a way it had, but only in short, un-restful bursts that would always be followed by unpleasant thoughts that would push the hope of proper sleep even further away each time.
He had killed again, and he hated it. What made things worse was that he hadn't killed someone who had tried to kill him, it was someone innocent, just like her...
The little girl with the puppy still haunted him, even so many years down the line, and he doubted if she would ever let him be, especially after what he had just done. But it was necessary, wasn't it? If Duo was to live it was, but...?
He hated the indecision, he didn't know how he felt about anything anymore, the last few weeks were not much more than a blur, so clouded was his mind by exhaustion, malnutrition and worry that even the most important event could be lost in a matter of seconds, the only things that remained well defined were his memories of Duo, and the knowledge that no matter what he would do anything to keep Duo alive. Stranger, he had to listen to him.
Heero rolled over, wrapping himself more tightly in the blanket. He had decided that even if he wasn't going to sleep he would make the most of his time in bed, as he didn't need to move until a few minutes to twelve.
A minute or so later the phone rang, Heero swore, the bastard was early! What if he'd been sleeping, he only had three rings.
RING! One.
Heero threw the blanket of and began to scrabble across the room.
RING! two.
Stumbling over a carelessly placed pair of shoes Heero fell to the floor, but quickly dragged himself to his feet. Only one ring left...
RING! Three.
Heero grabbed the phone and sat waiting for his customary sarcastic greeting, but none came. A minute passed, still nothing. This was odd...
Heero was beginning to wonder if Stranger was simply playing games this morning and was about to hang up when he heard a quiet, tentative voice.
"He..Hello? Is anyone there? Heero?"
Heero shook his head, he was too jumpy, he just hadn't expected anyone to call, he hadn't given out his number so who...?
"Heero? It's Quatre? Are you there?"
Quatre? How did he? Oh well...
"Yeah, hello...Quatre, I'm here. How can I help? I'm waiting for another call though, so be quick!" Almost the truth..
"Oh, You are there, well, I don't really know why I'm doing this, I must be crazy and Duo will kill me, but I just had a feeling... a feeling that I should tell you."
Ah, so Duo was with Quatre, Good. He will be safe there. "Ok, tell me, what do I need to know?"
Quatre was, at this point, having doubts if Heero really deserved to know, he had after all hurt Duo a lot, and well, he was frankly being rude! But the feeling in his heart just wouldn't go away, no matter what Trowa and Wu- Fei said.
"Well, Heero. Duo has been hurt. Badly. They aren't sure if he will make it."
Heeros heart practically stopped. Why? How? When? Who? All these questions danced through his mind, one he feared he could answer, and one he managed to stammer out.
"Wh.when? Quatre?"
"Late last night Heero, he went out, and didn't come home, we didn't know what had happened, but we were called by the hospital, and they told us that Duo Maxwell had been brought in by someone, but they didn't know who. But he had told them to call us, he was shot Heero, someone shot Duo!"
"Shit..." Heero breathed. "But I did what he asked...!"
"What Heero? I didn't hear that!"
"Oh, its nothing, just thinking out loud."
"Okay, Heero, I would appreciate it if you would come over here. I know that you and Duo are finished, you really hurt him by the way, but that's not the point, you...you should be here with us, I don't think Trowa or Wu- Fei will be happy to see you, but you should at least be here, in case, well, you were part of the team too, and he would want us all together at the end."
Heero nodded mutely, he wanted desperately to go to them, to receive even the coldest welcome they could give, it would bring him close to Duo, but he knew he could not, any chance that Duo could live would be ruined if he didn't pick up Strangers phone call.
"I'll try Quatre, I'm a little tied down at the moment, but as soon as I can get away I will come, I promise, if my word is worth anything anymore."
"It is to me Heero, and I know that it still would be to Duo, I don't know if you deserve another chance Heero, but that really isn't down to me! Is there anything you want to tell me by the way?"
That took Heero by surprise, yes there was something he desperately wanted to tell them all, but he knew he couldn't, how Quatre had picked up on that over the phone was anyone's guess, but he couldn't tell a thing.
"There's nothing Quatre, just lots of work. I will leave as soon as possible!"
He hung up the phone, he knew it was rude but he had to, any longer and he would have been telling the blonde all about Stranger. Damn Quatres over sensitive, well, everything, he always knew just how you were feeling, even if you didn't know it yourself. But it would be good to see him and the others again...if only...
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At exactly midday the phone rang, and Heero, who had been sitting next to it picked up after the first ring.
"Feeling better Heero?"
Heero fought back the urge to scream, there was a horrible smugness about Strangers voice that told Heero that he was right, it had been Stranger who had had Duo shot. "I'm fine thank you." Heero replied, clenching his teeth as he always did when Stranger called him.
"Oh!" Said stranger, his voice a mask of mock surprise. "I'd have thought after the little 'accident' you would have been a little ruffled."
"Not really," Heero relied, clenching his hand on the edge of the small phone table to keep from yelling, "It never helps to panic."
Stranger laughed, sending Heeros already unravelling nerves winding out of control.
"Why Heero?" He asked mildly, "Don't you care that he's in pain?"
After three seconds of telling himself he wouldn't break, Heero snapped, and so did the edge of the table holding the phone.
"Of Course I Fucking Care That He's In Pain!!" He yelled, "And I Also Care That I Am Letting A Fucking Psycho Like You Ruin Our Lives. I Did What You Asked, You Promised, You Fucking Promised!"
Stranger tutted, "Temper, temper Heero" His tone was infuriating, it made Heero seethe, "Duo is still alive, and will remain so, I made sure of that, this was merely a warning, you failed Heero, it was past midday, you failed the task but he did not die, but if you don't calm down like a good boy, I may have to change that."
Heeros teeth were once again clenched. "You had him shot, you don't miss, you told me that yourself, how can he not be dying?"
"Ah, well, it takes the best shot in the world to miss when it is necessary Heero, remember that, you are too valuable to lose, and if that, common, orphan is what it takes to keep you then, well, he will have to live for now wont he?" The disgust was evident in strangers smug voice as he talked of Duo.
"More bribery?" Heero was seething, and for an instant he found himself wishing that Duo had died, or better yet that Duo had never met him, that would be better for all concerned. How dare Stranger call Duo common?
"Lets not make an issue of that for now shall we Heero. As I said, you are valuable, you killed well, without mercy, quickly, effectively, the rumours about the Perfect Soldier are true, and I think I am going to enjoy having you working for me."
"How do I know Duo isn't going to die? I don't care what you say , I will never believe you about something like that. I will never trust you again."
"Oh Heero, you are such a bore, why couldn't we just keep this simple hmm, just take my word, there's a good boy!" Stranger sounded like a doting uncle.
Heero saw his chance, now he knew that his services were valued, he finally had some, well, nearly firm footing, and something he may be able to use to his advantage. "No, lets not."
Stranger chuckled "I was wondering how long you would happily cringe and beg for, never forget Heero, I will kill Duo, I would simply prefer not have too, there are other, less painless things I can have done to him should I wish to, so just because I am bending slightly this time lets not let our heads get to big shall we? Hmm? Lets keep cringing and begging for a little while longer."
Heero swallowed, he knew Stranger had him again, he was right, there were other things that could be done, and for Duo, they would be worse than death. "Give me a week!"
"Two days!"
"Four..."
"Three?"
"Done!"
"Fine Heero, you can have your three days, but no more, take that mobile phone of yours, and when I call, you come running home, it will be in his best interests if you do!"
The line went dead.
Heero hung up the phone, staggered across the room and slumped into a chair. He hated this, he hated it all, and unless he was very much mistaken he had just agreed to start up another round, but before round two he had a break, three days, granted it wasn't much, but it was more than he had hoped for yesterday, he could go to Duo, he could see for himself that he was alright.
But Duo wasn't going to like it.
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Woo, hello guys, I hope you liked that, I think I know where I am going with this story now, and with enough bugging from Ban and Ben I should have some more for you very soon!!
Oh No, what's this?? AAAARGH!! It's the SHAMELESS PLUG!!! Section!!
***************SHAMELESS PLUG ALLERT! ********************
Once again welcome to Lora Helens shameless Plug section, and todays shameless plug is BANSHEE and her story "DYIN' AINT MUCH OF A LIVIN'" This is a really Super fic and I recommend you all take a look!!!!
***************SHAMELESS PLUG END****************************
If you want to be featured in a shameless plug, please, drop me a line, of say so in a review and I will read you fic, and if I like, give you a SHAMELESS PLUG!!
Now, Review Thank you's, and seriously, you guys have surprised me, I wasn't expecting praise!!!
Thank you To -----
Gotrek-Gurnisson - Woot!! It be a ben it be!! Well you lil brat!! YO have been bugging me so much I posted! Lol!!! And well, yes, I hope you enjoyed it, thank you so much for putting me on your favorites list, it is really appreciated!!
Banshee - Wheeee, heya sweetie, its me! And I really hope you liked that chappie, it was for you m'dear!! Now, about that personal assin, he is beginning to creep me out, he keeps on popping up in dark corners, so please, call him off!! Lol, I'll update again if you do!! Well, talk to ya soon hun!!
Dreaming Dragon - Heero really does need to eat doesn't he!! Well, hope youlike this chappie!!
Japanese Cowboy - A dollar? Lol, a pound mebe! Lol, well, I am glad you really seem to like this fic, and so, I have updated!! Well, I really hope this chappie was up to scratch!!
Natea - Wow, so many compliments, I'm quite flattered I must say!! I really hope that you liked this chappie too!!
Thank you guys, your reviews mean a lot to me, and I hope to hear from you soon!!
Lora Helen
~*~ BakaGami ~*~
A/N ---- Ok, duo to extensive bugging by my friend Ben Ashley, who works under an author alias that I could never remember if my laptops life depended on it, I have updated this story, it appears you ppl like it, so well, as usual all I will ask is one review to carry it on.
This fic is dedicated to my wonderful friend Banshee, who I still believe is one of the most fantastic authors I have ever known, my friend Ben (still cant remember his alias) and also another fantastic author, Cobalt Violet, I urge you ppl to read her fic dark passion, and help me encourage her to post more!! Its fantastic!! I LOVE you guys!!!!
Ummm, this chapter gas not been Beta'd, so it could be rather, well, shabby around the edges, but I have taken on quite a few other tasks which are limiting my time for polishing my own works, so, this is what we have, it has taken ages, but I hope it will be with it!!
All the best and I hope you enjoy, Lora Helen.
Review Thank you's at end.
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And Stranger had laughed and picked up the phone to arrange the next link in his chain, the destruction of yet another innocent victim.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was 10:30 AM, and for the first time in what seemed like months, but was definitely weeks, Heero Yuy was allowed to sleep. But the problem was, he couldn't.
He had gotten home after completing his "Mission" and after a trip to the super market, he now had enough supplies to keep him alive, well, providing he thought to eat them, and had crawled straight into bed, he had hoped sleep would come, and in a way it had, but only in short, un-restful bursts that would always be followed by unpleasant thoughts that would push the hope of proper sleep even further away each time.
He had killed again, and he hated it. What made things worse was that he hadn't killed someone who had tried to kill him, it was someone innocent, just like her...
The little girl with the puppy still haunted him, even so many years down the line, and he doubted if she would ever let him be, especially after what he had just done. But it was necessary, wasn't it? If Duo was to live it was, but...?
He hated the indecision, he didn't know how he felt about anything anymore, the last few weeks were not much more than a blur, so clouded was his mind by exhaustion, malnutrition and worry that even the most important event could be lost in a matter of seconds, the only things that remained well defined were his memories of Duo, and the knowledge that no matter what he would do anything to keep Duo alive. Stranger, he had to listen to him.
Heero rolled over, wrapping himself more tightly in the blanket. He had decided that even if he wasn't going to sleep he would make the most of his time in bed, as he didn't need to move until a few minutes to twelve.
A minute or so later the phone rang, Heero swore, the bastard was early! What if he'd been sleeping, he only had three rings.
RING! One.
Heero threw the blanket of and began to scrabble across the room.
RING! two.
Stumbling over a carelessly placed pair of shoes Heero fell to the floor, but quickly dragged himself to his feet. Only one ring left...
RING! Three.
Heero grabbed the phone and sat waiting for his customary sarcastic greeting, but none came. A minute passed, still nothing. This was odd...
Heero was beginning to wonder if Stranger was simply playing games this morning and was about to hang up when he heard a quiet, tentative voice.
"He..Hello? Is anyone there? Heero?"
Heero shook his head, he was too jumpy, he just hadn't expected anyone to call, he hadn't given out his number so who...?
"Heero? It's Quatre? Are you there?"
Quatre? How did he? Oh well...
"Yeah, hello...Quatre, I'm here. How can I help? I'm waiting for another call though, so be quick!" Almost the truth..
"Oh, You are there, well, I don't really know why I'm doing this, I must be crazy and Duo will kill me, but I just had a feeling... a feeling that I should tell you."
Ah, so Duo was with Quatre, Good. He will be safe there. "Ok, tell me, what do I need to know?"
Quatre was, at this point, having doubts if Heero really deserved to know, he had after all hurt Duo a lot, and well, he was frankly being rude! But the feeling in his heart just wouldn't go away, no matter what Trowa and Wu- Fei said.
"Well, Heero. Duo has been hurt. Badly. They aren't sure if he will make it."
Heeros heart practically stopped. Why? How? When? Who? All these questions danced through his mind, one he feared he could answer, and one he managed to stammer out.
"Wh.when? Quatre?"
"Late last night Heero, he went out, and didn't come home, we didn't know what had happened, but we were called by the hospital, and they told us that Duo Maxwell had been brought in by someone, but they didn't know who. But he had told them to call us, he was shot Heero, someone shot Duo!"
"Shit..." Heero breathed. "But I did what he asked...!"
"What Heero? I didn't hear that!"
"Oh, its nothing, just thinking out loud."
"Okay, Heero, I would appreciate it if you would come over here. I know that you and Duo are finished, you really hurt him by the way, but that's not the point, you...you should be here with us, I don't think Trowa or Wu- Fei will be happy to see you, but you should at least be here, in case, well, you were part of the team too, and he would want us all together at the end."
Heero nodded mutely, he wanted desperately to go to them, to receive even the coldest welcome they could give, it would bring him close to Duo, but he knew he could not, any chance that Duo could live would be ruined if he didn't pick up Strangers phone call.
"I'll try Quatre, I'm a little tied down at the moment, but as soon as I can get away I will come, I promise, if my word is worth anything anymore."
"It is to me Heero, and I know that it still would be to Duo, I don't know if you deserve another chance Heero, but that really isn't down to me! Is there anything you want to tell me by the way?"
That took Heero by surprise, yes there was something he desperately wanted to tell them all, but he knew he couldn't, how Quatre had picked up on that over the phone was anyone's guess, but he couldn't tell a thing.
"There's nothing Quatre, just lots of work. I will leave as soon as possible!"
He hung up the phone, he knew it was rude but he had to, any longer and he would have been telling the blonde all about Stranger. Damn Quatres over sensitive, well, everything, he always knew just how you were feeling, even if you didn't know it yourself. But it would be good to see him and the others again...if only...
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At exactly midday the phone rang, and Heero, who had been sitting next to it picked up after the first ring.
"Feeling better Heero?"
Heero fought back the urge to scream, there was a horrible smugness about Strangers voice that told Heero that he was right, it had been Stranger who had had Duo shot. "I'm fine thank you." Heero replied, clenching his teeth as he always did when Stranger called him.
"Oh!" Said stranger, his voice a mask of mock surprise. "I'd have thought after the little 'accident' you would have been a little ruffled."
"Not really," Heero relied, clenching his hand on the edge of the small phone table to keep from yelling, "It never helps to panic."
Stranger laughed, sending Heeros already unravelling nerves winding out of control.
"Why Heero?" He asked mildly, "Don't you care that he's in pain?"
After three seconds of telling himself he wouldn't break, Heero snapped, and so did the edge of the table holding the phone.
"Of Course I Fucking Care That He's In Pain!!" He yelled, "And I Also Care That I Am Letting A Fucking Psycho Like You Ruin Our Lives. I Did What You Asked, You Promised, You Fucking Promised!"
Stranger tutted, "Temper, temper Heero" His tone was infuriating, it made Heero seethe, "Duo is still alive, and will remain so, I made sure of that, this was merely a warning, you failed Heero, it was past midday, you failed the task but he did not die, but if you don't calm down like a good boy, I may have to change that."
Heeros teeth were once again clenched. "You had him shot, you don't miss, you told me that yourself, how can he not be dying?"
"Ah, well, it takes the best shot in the world to miss when it is necessary Heero, remember that, you are too valuable to lose, and if that, common, orphan is what it takes to keep you then, well, he will have to live for now wont he?" The disgust was evident in strangers smug voice as he talked of Duo.
"More bribery?" Heero was seething, and for an instant he found himself wishing that Duo had died, or better yet that Duo had never met him, that would be better for all concerned. How dare Stranger call Duo common?
"Lets not make an issue of that for now shall we Heero. As I said, you are valuable, you killed well, without mercy, quickly, effectively, the rumours about the Perfect Soldier are true, and I think I am going to enjoy having you working for me."
"How do I know Duo isn't going to die? I don't care what you say , I will never believe you about something like that. I will never trust you again."
"Oh Heero, you are such a bore, why couldn't we just keep this simple hmm, just take my word, there's a good boy!" Stranger sounded like a doting uncle.
Heero saw his chance, now he knew that his services were valued, he finally had some, well, nearly firm footing, and something he may be able to use to his advantage. "No, lets not."
Stranger chuckled "I was wondering how long you would happily cringe and beg for, never forget Heero, I will kill Duo, I would simply prefer not have too, there are other, less painless things I can have done to him should I wish to, so just because I am bending slightly this time lets not let our heads get to big shall we? Hmm? Lets keep cringing and begging for a little while longer."
Heero swallowed, he knew Stranger had him again, he was right, there were other things that could be done, and for Duo, they would be worse than death. "Give me a week!"
"Two days!"
"Four..."
"Three?"
"Done!"
"Fine Heero, you can have your three days, but no more, take that mobile phone of yours, and when I call, you come running home, it will be in his best interests if you do!"
The line went dead.
Heero hung up the phone, staggered across the room and slumped into a chair. He hated this, he hated it all, and unless he was very much mistaken he had just agreed to start up another round, but before round two he had a break, three days, granted it wasn't much, but it was more than he had hoped for yesterday, he could go to Duo, he could see for himself that he was alright.
But Duo wasn't going to like it.
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Woo, hello guys, I hope you liked that, I think I know where I am going with this story now, and with enough bugging from Ban and Ben I should have some more for you very soon!!
Oh No, what's this?? AAAARGH!! It's the SHAMELESS PLUG!!! Section!!
***************SHAMELESS PLUG ALLERT! ********************
Once again welcome to Lora Helens shameless Plug section, and todays shameless plug is BANSHEE and her story "DYIN' AINT MUCH OF A LIVIN'" This is a really Super fic and I recommend you all take a look!!!!
***************SHAMELESS PLUG END****************************
If you want to be featured in a shameless plug, please, drop me a line, of say so in a review and I will read you fic, and if I like, give you a SHAMELESS PLUG!!
Now, Review Thank you's, and seriously, you guys have surprised me, I wasn't expecting praise!!!
Thank you To -----
Gotrek-Gurnisson - Woot!! It be a ben it be!! Well you lil brat!! YO have been bugging me so much I posted! Lol!!! And well, yes, I hope you enjoyed it, thank you so much for putting me on your favorites list, it is really appreciated!!
Banshee - Wheeee, heya sweetie, its me! And I really hope you liked that chappie, it was for you m'dear!! Now, about that personal assin, he is beginning to creep me out, he keeps on popping up in dark corners, so please, call him off!! Lol, I'll update again if you do!! Well, talk to ya soon hun!!
Dreaming Dragon - Heero really does need to eat doesn't he!! Well, hope youlike this chappie!!
Japanese Cowboy - A dollar? Lol, a pound mebe! Lol, well, I am glad you really seem to like this fic, and so, I have updated!! Well, I really hope this chappie was up to scratch!!
Natea - Wow, so many compliments, I'm quite flattered I must say!! I really hope that you liked this chappie too!!
Thank you guys, your reviews mean a lot to me, and I hope to hear from you soon!!
Lora Helen
~*~ BakaGami ~*~