Once a Lifetime

Chapter Five: Duo POV;

I stared into the security monitors and watched as Heero moved quietly through the halls. The guard who used to handle this job was unfortunately lying dead on the floor beside me. One of my many daggers had found his heart before he could find the alarm trigger. I took this time to admire Heero's features. He was built well in this time, a feast for the eyes one could say.

"02, is everything clear ahead?" his voice called quietly through the com-unit. How he managed to keep his monotone voice while whispering I will never know. I checked the other monitors, all showing the areas he was soon to travel through. It was when my eyes met the screen with the prisoner we were to break out that they widened and my language took a dive for the worse.

"Aww, shit," was my answer to his question.

"What?" he questioned, his voice a little upset at my break in professionalism.

"All clear, 01, but you won't like who it is we have to save. Remind me to kill both J and our rescuee when this is all over."

"Who?" Heero questioned, which was rare for him, but I didn't really care at the moment. I was still upset about J's failure to tell us who we were supposed to rescue. I knew I wasn't mistaken either. That was the only person being held at this place against their will.

"The princess of pink herself," I muttered before speaking up. "Relena's the one being held here. I'm assuming she's the main reason you were called in for such an otherwise simple job. The only reason I was needed was to get you in and out without any trouble." Spite filled my voice, I couldn't help it. I hated being used. Especially when I knew Relena would act as if I had no hand in her rescue.

"I see. Keep me updated if the all clear changes."

"Got it." I rolled my eyes as he finally reached her cell. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree as her eyes fell upon Heero and before I knew it she was in his arms. I could tell he didn't want her there, but admittedly she was tenacious.

"Heero, I knew you'd come for me!" she exclaimed, her voice full of tears, just like her eyes. Man, what a drama queen (Heh, queen. I made a funny). Her cell wasn't as bad as some of the ones Heero and I had been in over the years. I really couldn't stand her sometimes.

"We don't have time for this. We have to leave." I watched Heero push her away from himself and look toward the camera. "Diversion time, 02," Heero mouthed to me, knowing neither of us needed to listen to Relena complain about me at this moment.

"Diversion in progress, 01," I answered, pressing the detonator button for the bombs I had set earlier at the other side of the base. Heero and Relena took off the minute the bombs were heard. I kept watch, leading them out without incident. Once they were out of camera range, I stood up, preparing to slip out as smoothly as I had slipped in.

"Get out of there now, 02. Hostage is safe at the meeting point." I checked the screens once more, tracking my way out easily.

"Right on it, 01. Over and out."

"Be careful," Heero added before being interrupted.

"Heero, who are you talking to?" Relena questioned, sounding miffed he wasn't paying attention to her. I smiled softly, slipping through the halls quietly and with stealth. I really felt comfortable in the shadows. The night was my one true love besides Heero. In fact, I enjoyed watching the moon whenever I was on Earth. For some reason, I always felt at home in the dark of night.

"Always am, 01. You're the one always doing the crazy, life-threatening things. If you aren't careful, I'd begin to think you actually care about me," I joked back to him over Relena's whining voice.

"Just get here or we'll leave without you." Right as Relena began to complain once more, Heero cut the unit off. I smirked slightly. He was too good of a solider to ever leave alone. I slipped past a group of guards and made my way outside. I waited in the shadows and once the coast was clear I made my way toward the safe point.

As I neared the clearing, my usual quiet self, I saw a sight that nearly stopped my heart. Relena was forcing a kiss on Heero; my Heero! I could tell it was forced because he was trying to break away. Amazing how added strength fails you when it comes to a very stubborn and determined woman. Yet the sight that chilled me was the gun man who was standing in the shadows, aiming at Heero. He was possibly getting perfect solider vibes over the unprotected way he was stuck in, but couldn't act on them. It was up to me to save him.

"Heero, look out!!!" I shouted, seeing red. You could attack anyone else and I could remain calm. Go after my soul mate and common sense left the building. The gun man whirled and fired off a shot at me. Pain lanced through me in my left arm, but I ignored it. I drew one of my daggers and let it fly. It hit just as two shots rang out together. The dagger struck between the chest while blood blossomed from the man's head. I felt more pain sear into my leg. I knew the second shot I had heard had hit its mark as well.

Remarkably I came to realize it was the opposite of the ones I had dealt to Heero the first time we met. His was right arm left leg; mine was the mirror image of that, left arm and right leg. Irony was never as good as it was tonight. I moved toward Heero and a stunned Relena, but my vision blurred. My steps faltered and I soon found myself falling foreword. Before I could hit the ground strong arms wrapped around me, slowing my descent to the ground. I knew instantly who it was. I felt as if I belonged; it felt right.

"Baka," Heero muttered, pressing a hand tightly to the wound in my leg. Apparently it was worse than I thought because I saw stars. His voice also sounded far away. I knew it was going to be only a matter of time before I passed out. Even as bad off as I was, I had to try and lighten the mood.

"Hey, now we're even. Two shots for two. Perhaps now you can forgive my recklessness from when we met." I never heard Relena's words, I was seeing nothing but black now. I felt Heero's arms tighten around me and I smiled; a genuine smile. Then darkness embraced me in her loving arms and I knew nothing else.