Ok, Hiya. I know it's been a little while since the last update but I've
been a little ill and also I just started college as well, so I'm allowed
to slack slightly.
I was totally amazed by the number of reviews the last chapter of this story received. I was so chuffed that so many people liked it, and I can't believe ho many of you are actually reading and apparently enjoying this story.
Well, I think I now need to do my Review thank you's, and you really deserve it guys; you are such wonderful inspiration for me. I'd never have taken this story this far without you all.
Gotrek-Gurnisson - Well, there WAS a cliffie, but since you have a fear of Yaoi you didn't notice it. Um, as I already told you, you may not like all the content in this chapter, other ppl will love it, but you might not, but you hear me, I want no flames from you, verbal or in writing, cuz I have given you many a friendly warning while you were prodding me into writing. Thanks or the reviews. They are much appreciated.
Natea - I'm really glad you were pleased to get a dedication; you deserved it as your reviews always inspire me to write. Back and beyond was indeed warm. And I did do much writing there, so it was good in some respects. You pick up on a lot, I liked the Idea of fear being motivational as well, hence this fic. We find out more about Stranger soon. I hope you enjoy this chapter I really do, as it was a nice one to write.
Deadtoast - Love the name, just have to say that. I hope this chapter tells a little more, and also encourages you to read more ^__^
Blue-Pig - You like? I'm so happy, it's a really fun fic to work on and write because half the time I have no idea where the plot is going to take me next. I hope you enjoy this next chappie.
Ink2 - Heero is good ne? Well, there's more of good o'l Hee-Chan being clever in this chappie as well. I hope it is up to standard as I was having some trouble getting it to flow properly, but I think I did okay in the end. Let me know what you think ne? I always love to hear from you.
SHINIGAMIAOD - Whoa! You really have it in for Stranger ne? Sorry to disappoint but I cant say who it is yet, that would ruin the surprise, but you will find out soon I promise. I promise I will loan Stranger to you when I am finished. That way you can have fun destroying him/her as many times as you want. I'm glad you like reviewing, I do to, but still I do appreciate it so I like to say thanks. So, thanks.
Banshee - God, you really do have it in for me ne? lol. Try not to scare yourself in the future though Hun. Umm, you need to look down a few lines, as there is a little note to you there.. ;-).
Kuiya - lol, I like sappy stories, but this has a way to go b4 the true sap can begin. I am really glad you are enjoying this fic, and good luck with the home work.
This chapter has to be dedicated to my friend banshee0 again, as a reward for leaving me "The weirdest review known to man." When I printed my reviews off so I could take them to my room and work on this, hers took up a whole A4 page and a bit.. So. Ban, this is your reward.
~*~
Chapter 8
~*~
Duo's crying stopped suddenly; it appeared that he was holding his breath. Slowly, he raised his head from his knees and his large, shining, violet eyes came to rest on the regretful midnight blue eyes of the man in front of him.
"Heero.." It was barely a whisper. "Oh God.."
Heero stood and Duos eyes followed him.
He remained stationery for a second starring into the violet irises that surveyed him with a mixture of fear and amazement. Finally his brain rebooted itself and managed to make his legs move.
Moments later, though he could barely remember the short journey, he found himself sitting on the edge of Duo's bed.
Never once did they look away from each-others eyes.
His eyes still locked on Duos, Heero forced himself to speak again.
"God Duo," He said quietly. "I'm sorry, so sorry. You can never know how sorry I am, I never, ever meant for anything like this happen, hell, I was trying to stop it happening."
Duo shot Heero a confused look.
"Heero?" He asked, raising one eyebrow. "What do you mean? I don't understand, how could you have been trying to stop this happening?"
Heero opened his mouth and then slowly closed it. Shaking his head slightly. Duo decided to carry on, seeing as Heero seemed to have chosen not to say anything at that point.
"You couldn't have known. It was just some stupid drunk at a club; I can remember it now, well bits of it anyway. I was at a club down in one of the main cities on L4, when this weird guy, blinding drunk to tears I tell you, came up to me, sobbing his bloody heart out, told me he was so sorry and shot me....
Heero nodded mutely. After taking a short drink of water Duo continued again.
"I've been spending a lot of time in clubs recently ya see. You don't need to think when you're drinking and dancing, I was depressed ya see, I...Oh, Heero.."
Duo stopped.
Heero had slumped forward, pressing the heel of each of his hands into his eyes, and his shoulders were shaking slightly.
With a distraught look gracing his heart-shaped face Duo realised what was wrong.. Heero was..crying.
Slowly he leant forward, his long braid falling across Heeros lap. Gently he prized one of Heeros hands away from his eyes and filled it with his own, slightly smaller hand.
With a slight sigh he let the hands fall to rest on top of the white sheets, and let himself lean back against the pillows again.
Inside, and slightly on the surface, he smiled at how perfectly their fingers still laced together.
"Heero." He said quietly. "Please don't, I was sad because I missed ya, ok, but you're Back now...aren't ya? Well.. So long as you are I wont need to be sad any more will I?"
He gave Heeros hand a slight squeeze and even managed another small, yet reassuring smile as Heeros eyes once again met with his own.
With a sigh Heero hung his head. "Duo, you need to understand, things are a little more complicated now, much more so that before, especially since what happened today.." Heero fell silent, not sure he could elaborate on what had so far taken place.
Duo shot Heero another confused look and gave the hand he was still holding another slight squeeze.
"C'mon Hee-Chan." Duo practically grinned, Heero had almost smiled at the resurfacing of his nickname, "Tell me. Please. It's like you said, I need to know, I need to understand."
"Yes you do Duo," Heero agreed, closing his had more firmly around Duos.
He couldn't believe that the beautiful violet eyes could still rest on his own blue ones without revulsion, or that the elegant fingers could still bear to lace in-between his. He couldn't believe that Duo could still want him around, could still love him. But right now he needed to explain, thinking this through would have to come later.
"Ok, Duo, here goes." Heero said, taking a breath. "Well, it all started around a month, no, two months ago, you remember, when I had to cancel our first weekend away together."
Duo nodded.
"Well, I told you it was because of work, it wasn't, I lied, I didn't want to, but someone made me, it was a phone call, Duo, and th-"
"HE'S GONE!!!!!" Wu-Fei came charging back into the room causing the door to bang off the wall as he did so and earning himself four startled looks from the other pilots. Three of whom continued to blink at him stupidly.
The other, one Heero Yuy, jumped to his feet with a loud cuss released Duo's hand and ran across the room to Wu-Fei.
"Ok, Wu-Fei, the scene, a description please, leave no detail out. Where did you lock him up? How did he get out? Damage the door or lock? You DID lock the door in the first place didn't you?"
Heero received a disgusted look for the last question but aside from that Wu-Fei let it pass.
"I locked him in a broom closet on the floor below this one, I thought it would be okay because he was unarmed. I removed anything he could have used to bust down the door before I shut him in there. He couldn't shoulder charge it because he couldn't stand unaided. I did a test to ensure this."
Wu-Fei took a breath and then continued.
"I was walking down to check on him when I saw that the door was open. I know I locked it, there was no key and the lock was a simple latch and catch with a simple padlocked bolt, a little extreme for a closet I felt but it seemed strong and that was what was important at the time. I tested it as well. The lock was on the exterior side of the door and there was no way to access it from within. The lock had been busted from the outside using a crow-bar or something to the like, it had been completely smashed off the door."
Wu-Fei paused again before adding his own beliefs and ideas on the matter.
"Someone knew where we put him Yuy, someone knew he was here all along. They let him out, but there was a trail of blood drips heading down the corridor, he may still be dripping so we may have a lead."
Heero swore again. Stranger was at it again... With a third cuss he began to raise the others into action.
"Wu-Fei," he said shortly, back in perfect soldier mode in 0.2 seconds. "Can you find the way quickly to the entrance hall and out?"
Back under command, a reassuring feeling to any soldier, Wu-Fei nodded.
"Quatre, up now, Trowa you to. I want you two to help Duo walk, you've got to get out, there is no sense in any more of us taking an injury if it can be prevented."
Quatre nodded, let go of Trowa and began to fold back Duo's bedding. Once that was done he dashed off and fetched him a warmish robe from a cupboard that was set to one side of the window. Quatre did as he had been ordered but he still looked worried. He, unlike the others, was able to sense the fear in Heero, and he knew there was more amiss than met the eye.
Trowa simply moved over to Duo's bed, removed the tubes and wires that connected him to the machinery, and, earning a slight wince from Duo, helped him up.
Soon Duo was standing with one arm round Trowas shoulders, and one arm round Quatres shoulders also.
Heero then turned to Wu-Fei. "You didn't perchance bring your gun with you as I did Wu-Fei? I have mine but I'd rather keep it with me. Should you not have yours it will prove more effective to this evacuation if I give mine to you, you need to be armed."
Wu-Fei nodded grimly and pulled a large-ish handgun from a holster that had been concealed under his shirt. "It's a miracle I got it in here, but a Preventer is NEVER without his gun.." He said with a shrug. "I guess they were lax on security today."
Heero nodded, "Good, that will help, you walk ahead of the other three and ensure that their route is clear, this is going to be dangerous, all of you, keep quiet and keep your wits about you. One wrong move could spell the end for all four of you, you hold each others lives in the balance as well as your own, be careful."
Three of them nodded, accepting the fact that Heero was being serious. The other looked confused.
Duo blinked. "Heero? What's going on? I wouldn't usually admit it, but the way you guys are acting is scaring me... I'm in no condition to run, and, well, besides you, there is only one person with a gun."
Heero turned a much softened gaze on Duo and made his way over to him.
Unhooking his arm from Trowas shoulder, Duo wrapped Heero in a hug that was instantly returned. "And I notice," he said quietly, his voice thick with tears again. "That you don't seem to have made any plans for yourself, aren't you coming with us Heero? Aren't you coming with me?"
"No," Heero said quietly, untangling himself from Duo and wrapping the arms that had coiled round his neck, back round the shoulders of Trowa and Quatre. "I'm not. You will be much safer without me. I'll catch up with you guys later though, that's a promise. At the moment however, I have a score to settle..."
Heero shot Quatre a meaningful look, and suddenly the blonde knew why Heero was so sacred, he was planning to go after Stranger. Quatre was about to object, warn him of the danger he felt, when Heero cut him off.
"Right, it's time for you all to go." He planted a careful kiss on the once again tear stained cheek of Duo Maxwell and ushered them out of the room. "And please Duo, stop crying, I know this has all been really hard on you, but it will all be over soon. Trust me, I'll keep you safe."
Duo smiled slightly and nodded "I know Heero," he said quietly to himself as he was helped down the corridor by Quatre and Trowa. "Boys don't cry. Boys don't, but men do. It took me a while to realise that. I'll cry Heero, but I'll also trust you."
Heero followed them for a short way down the corridor and then turned off to follow a different route. He had just walked out of the elevator after a sixteen floor accent, when a voice over the hospital announcement system stopped him in his tracks.
"So Heero, you still want to play games do you? Well remember this, I still make the rules, and your friends, well, they are the game pieces now..."
"Stranger.."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, that's chapter 8 all done and dusted, I hope you all liked it and it took quite a bit of effort to make it flow properly.
Well, as you know a review is greatly appreciated but not compulsory, however I do like to know if you guys like my work or not.
Well, that's all from mw for now, I will post again very soon I hope.
I was totally amazed by the number of reviews the last chapter of this story received. I was so chuffed that so many people liked it, and I can't believe ho many of you are actually reading and apparently enjoying this story.
Well, I think I now need to do my Review thank you's, and you really deserve it guys; you are such wonderful inspiration for me. I'd never have taken this story this far without you all.
Gotrek-Gurnisson - Well, there WAS a cliffie, but since you have a fear of Yaoi you didn't notice it. Um, as I already told you, you may not like all the content in this chapter, other ppl will love it, but you might not, but you hear me, I want no flames from you, verbal or in writing, cuz I have given you many a friendly warning while you were prodding me into writing. Thanks or the reviews. They are much appreciated.
Natea - I'm really glad you were pleased to get a dedication; you deserved it as your reviews always inspire me to write. Back and beyond was indeed warm. And I did do much writing there, so it was good in some respects. You pick up on a lot, I liked the Idea of fear being motivational as well, hence this fic. We find out more about Stranger soon. I hope you enjoy this chapter I really do, as it was a nice one to write.
Deadtoast - Love the name, just have to say that. I hope this chapter tells a little more, and also encourages you to read more ^__^
Blue-Pig - You like? I'm so happy, it's a really fun fic to work on and write because half the time I have no idea where the plot is going to take me next. I hope you enjoy this next chappie.
Ink2 - Heero is good ne? Well, there's more of good o'l Hee-Chan being clever in this chappie as well. I hope it is up to standard as I was having some trouble getting it to flow properly, but I think I did okay in the end. Let me know what you think ne? I always love to hear from you.
SHINIGAMIAOD - Whoa! You really have it in for Stranger ne? Sorry to disappoint but I cant say who it is yet, that would ruin the surprise, but you will find out soon I promise. I promise I will loan Stranger to you when I am finished. That way you can have fun destroying him/her as many times as you want. I'm glad you like reviewing, I do to, but still I do appreciate it so I like to say thanks. So, thanks.
Banshee - God, you really do have it in for me ne? lol. Try not to scare yourself in the future though Hun. Umm, you need to look down a few lines, as there is a little note to you there.. ;-).
Kuiya - lol, I like sappy stories, but this has a way to go b4 the true sap can begin. I am really glad you are enjoying this fic, and good luck with the home work.
This chapter has to be dedicated to my friend banshee0 again, as a reward for leaving me "The weirdest review known to man." When I printed my reviews off so I could take them to my room and work on this, hers took up a whole A4 page and a bit.. So. Ban, this is your reward.
~*~
Chapter 8
~*~
Duo's crying stopped suddenly; it appeared that he was holding his breath. Slowly, he raised his head from his knees and his large, shining, violet eyes came to rest on the regretful midnight blue eyes of the man in front of him.
"Heero.." It was barely a whisper. "Oh God.."
Heero stood and Duos eyes followed him.
He remained stationery for a second starring into the violet irises that surveyed him with a mixture of fear and amazement. Finally his brain rebooted itself and managed to make his legs move.
Moments later, though he could barely remember the short journey, he found himself sitting on the edge of Duo's bed.
Never once did they look away from each-others eyes.
His eyes still locked on Duos, Heero forced himself to speak again.
"God Duo," He said quietly. "I'm sorry, so sorry. You can never know how sorry I am, I never, ever meant for anything like this happen, hell, I was trying to stop it happening."
Duo shot Heero a confused look.
"Heero?" He asked, raising one eyebrow. "What do you mean? I don't understand, how could you have been trying to stop this happening?"
Heero opened his mouth and then slowly closed it. Shaking his head slightly. Duo decided to carry on, seeing as Heero seemed to have chosen not to say anything at that point.
"You couldn't have known. It was just some stupid drunk at a club; I can remember it now, well bits of it anyway. I was at a club down in one of the main cities on L4, when this weird guy, blinding drunk to tears I tell you, came up to me, sobbing his bloody heart out, told me he was so sorry and shot me....
Heero nodded mutely. After taking a short drink of water Duo continued again.
"I've been spending a lot of time in clubs recently ya see. You don't need to think when you're drinking and dancing, I was depressed ya see, I...Oh, Heero.."
Duo stopped.
Heero had slumped forward, pressing the heel of each of his hands into his eyes, and his shoulders were shaking slightly.
With a distraught look gracing his heart-shaped face Duo realised what was wrong.. Heero was..crying.
Slowly he leant forward, his long braid falling across Heeros lap. Gently he prized one of Heeros hands away from his eyes and filled it with his own, slightly smaller hand.
With a slight sigh he let the hands fall to rest on top of the white sheets, and let himself lean back against the pillows again.
Inside, and slightly on the surface, he smiled at how perfectly their fingers still laced together.
"Heero." He said quietly. "Please don't, I was sad because I missed ya, ok, but you're Back now...aren't ya? Well.. So long as you are I wont need to be sad any more will I?"
He gave Heeros hand a slight squeeze and even managed another small, yet reassuring smile as Heeros eyes once again met with his own.
With a sigh Heero hung his head. "Duo, you need to understand, things are a little more complicated now, much more so that before, especially since what happened today.." Heero fell silent, not sure he could elaborate on what had so far taken place.
Duo shot Heero another confused look and gave the hand he was still holding another slight squeeze.
"C'mon Hee-Chan." Duo practically grinned, Heero had almost smiled at the resurfacing of his nickname, "Tell me. Please. It's like you said, I need to know, I need to understand."
"Yes you do Duo," Heero agreed, closing his had more firmly around Duos.
He couldn't believe that the beautiful violet eyes could still rest on his own blue ones without revulsion, or that the elegant fingers could still bear to lace in-between his. He couldn't believe that Duo could still want him around, could still love him. But right now he needed to explain, thinking this through would have to come later.
"Ok, Duo, here goes." Heero said, taking a breath. "Well, it all started around a month, no, two months ago, you remember, when I had to cancel our first weekend away together."
Duo nodded.
"Well, I told you it was because of work, it wasn't, I lied, I didn't want to, but someone made me, it was a phone call, Duo, and th-"
"HE'S GONE!!!!!" Wu-Fei came charging back into the room causing the door to bang off the wall as he did so and earning himself four startled looks from the other pilots. Three of whom continued to blink at him stupidly.
The other, one Heero Yuy, jumped to his feet with a loud cuss released Duo's hand and ran across the room to Wu-Fei.
"Ok, Wu-Fei, the scene, a description please, leave no detail out. Where did you lock him up? How did he get out? Damage the door or lock? You DID lock the door in the first place didn't you?"
Heero received a disgusted look for the last question but aside from that Wu-Fei let it pass.
"I locked him in a broom closet on the floor below this one, I thought it would be okay because he was unarmed. I removed anything he could have used to bust down the door before I shut him in there. He couldn't shoulder charge it because he couldn't stand unaided. I did a test to ensure this."
Wu-Fei took a breath and then continued.
"I was walking down to check on him when I saw that the door was open. I know I locked it, there was no key and the lock was a simple latch and catch with a simple padlocked bolt, a little extreme for a closet I felt but it seemed strong and that was what was important at the time. I tested it as well. The lock was on the exterior side of the door and there was no way to access it from within. The lock had been busted from the outside using a crow-bar or something to the like, it had been completely smashed off the door."
Wu-Fei paused again before adding his own beliefs and ideas on the matter.
"Someone knew where we put him Yuy, someone knew he was here all along. They let him out, but there was a trail of blood drips heading down the corridor, he may still be dripping so we may have a lead."
Heero swore again. Stranger was at it again... With a third cuss he began to raise the others into action.
"Wu-Fei," he said shortly, back in perfect soldier mode in 0.2 seconds. "Can you find the way quickly to the entrance hall and out?"
Back under command, a reassuring feeling to any soldier, Wu-Fei nodded.
"Quatre, up now, Trowa you to. I want you two to help Duo walk, you've got to get out, there is no sense in any more of us taking an injury if it can be prevented."
Quatre nodded, let go of Trowa and began to fold back Duo's bedding. Once that was done he dashed off and fetched him a warmish robe from a cupboard that was set to one side of the window. Quatre did as he had been ordered but he still looked worried. He, unlike the others, was able to sense the fear in Heero, and he knew there was more amiss than met the eye.
Trowa simply moved over to Duo's bed, removed the tubes and wires that connected him to the machinery, and, earning a slight wince from Duo, helped him up.
Soon Duo was standing with one arm round Trowas shoulders, and one arm round Quatres shoulders also.
Heero then turned to Wu-Fei. "You didn't perchance bring your gun with you as I did Wu-Fei? I have mine but I'd rather keep it with me. Should you not have yours it will prove more effective to this evacuation if I give mine to you, you need to be armed."
Wu-Fei nodded grimly and pulled a large-ish handgun from a holster that had been concealed under his shirt. "It's a miracle I got it in here, but a Preventer is NEVER without his gun.." He said with a shrug. "I guess they were lax on security today."
Heero nodded, "Good, that will help, you walk ahead of the other three and ensure that their route is clear, this is going to be dangerous, all of you, keep quiet and keep your wits about you. One wrong move could spell the end for all four of you, you hold each others lives in the balance as well as your own, be careful."
Three of them nodded, accepting the fact that Heero was being serious. The other looked confused.
Duo blinked. "Heero? What's going on? I wouldn't usually admit it, but the way you guys are acting is scaring me... I'm in no condition to run, and, well, besides you, there is only one person with a gun."
Heero turned a much softened gaze on Duo and made his way over to him.
Unhooking his arm from Trowas shoulder, Duo wrapped Heero in a hug that was instantly returned. "And I notice," he said quietly, his voice thick with tears again. "That you don't seem to have made any plans for yourself, aren't you coming with us Heero? Aren't you coming with me?"
"No," Heero said quietly, untangling himself from Duo and wrapping the arms that had coiled round his neck, back round the shoulders of Trowa and Quatre. "I'm not. You will be much safer without me. I'll catch up with you guys later though, that's a promise. At the moment however, I have a score to settle..."
Heero shot Quatre a meaningful look, and suddenly the blonde knew why Heero was so sacred, he was planning to go after Stranger. Quatre was about to object, warn him of the danger he felt, when Heero cut him off.
"Right, it's time for you all to go." He planted a careful kiss on the once again tear stained cheek of Duo Maxwell and ushered them out of the room. "And please Duo, stop crying, I know this has all been really hard on you, but it will all be over soon. Trust me, I'll keep you safe."
Duo smiled slightly and nodded "I know Heero," he said quietly to himself as he was helped down the corridor by Quatre and Trowa. "Boys don't cry. Boys don't, but men do. It took me a while to realise that. I'll cry Heero, but I'll also trust you."
Heero followed them for a short way down the corridor and then turned off to follow a different route. He had just walked out of the elevator after a sixteen floor accent, when a voice over the hospital announcement system stopped him in his tracks.
"So Heero, you still want to play games do you? Well remember this, I still make the rules, and your friends, well, they are the game pieces now..."
"Stranger.."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, that's chapter 8 all done and dusted, I hope you all liked it and it took quite a bit of effort to make it flow properly.
Well, as you know a review is greatly appreciated but not compulsory, however I do like to know if you guys like my work or not.
Well, that's all from mw for now, I will post again very soon I hope.