Part 10
A/N : The song used in this part is Bring Me To Life. Which I do not own. It is by Evanescence. Which I do not own either. When I tell you life is not fair.
AC 198, August 12th, L2 Colony Cluster, Plazza Hotel, 9:00 PM
"PARTY TIME !", Duo bellowed as he bounced into Quatre's quite devastated hotel suite.
Wufei, who had been sitting cross-legged on Quatre's bed, jumped three feet in the air, fell off the bed and crashed his head on the bedside cabinet in the process. He swore very badly in Chinese while Duo burst out laughing.
"Aw, shit, Wu, I'm sorry, man ! Are you okay ?"
"Wo hau (1)", Wufei grumbled, emerging from behind the bed and rubbing his head. "Just tell me, Maxwell, why you suddenly decided to take the lead position in the global conspiracy to destroy my brain."
"'Cause it's fun ?", Duo suggested.
"I do not call having my head broken fun."
"I call watching you toppling over and falling off Quatre's bed and crashing your head fun. Deal with it", Duo retorted with a wide grin.
"Don't get me started", Wufei snapped menacingly.
"But I like to get you started ! I still have to see what you can do when you are pissed off, uh ?"
"Believe me, you don't want to know."
"Why not ?"
Swifter than light, Wufei suddenly jumped over to the American, spun on one foot and sent a kick into his midsection that made him stumble backwards into the wall. Somehow, Duo was still laughing, though trying very hard to catch back his breath and holding his stomach. Wufei couldn't help smiling. They had been knowing each other for a few days, and it seemed like they had been bickering all their life. Their loud disagreements, and even louder beating-ups had become routine in an instant.
"Wuffie, that ain't nice", Duo whined mockingly. "I can't put my favorite top if you make bruises on my stomach ! It will show, and people will start to think my nasty Chinese boyfriend is beating me !"
"I am not your boyfriend, but I am actually beating you up for your own good. And don't worry, you won't have a bruise. I know just how hard I can hit for you not to have a bruise."
Duo's eyes widened at the statement.
"Oh, and for you to know, Maxwell … This is just a warning. Trust me when I tell you you don't want to know me when I'm pissed-off. And my name is still Wufei, by the way."
Duo only burst out laughing again. Wufei held out his hand and helped him get up on his feet.
"Now guys, what are you doing again ? Do I have to separate you one more time ?", Quatre's voice said from the bathroom door.
"Cat ! No, it's okay, we reached an agreement", Duo said. "We'll be nice tonight, since this is your night !"
"Good", Quatre said coming out of the bathroom only wearing his boxers. "Shall we get dressed now ? I'll have someone pack our stuff and send it to your house once we're done, and we can get a limo with a driver so that we can drink if we want to."
"Great ! You think of everything, Cat, as always !"
Quatre just smiled and began to fumble through his clothes. Soon, he selected very tight black leather pants that were glistening under the lights of the room, a red sleeveless turtleneck made of some smooth and glittering material and high black boots. He fidgeted around some other accessories before taking a black bracelet and throwing it on the bed on the clothes.
"What do you think ?", he asked Duo, eagerly waiting for an answer.
"Just perfect, Cat ! God, you'll have the whole club wanting to paw you !"
"I can't wear boxers under those pants, they will show."
"Then don't !"
Duo took out his own clothes from the bag he had been carrying. Similar pants, a sleeveless shirt that was apparently black, but glistened silver under the light, and a velvet black ribbon for his hair. The final touch was one single fingerless glove. Duo finished putting his clothes on the bed, then turned to Wufei.
"Okay, you're on, Wu !"
"I don't own anything that looks remotely like those clothes, and I don't ever want to purchase anything looking like those clothes", Wufei said.
"Come on, man, ya can't go clubbing in your white blouse !"
"Duo is right, Wufei", Quatre said. "If you want to do your job correctly, you have to blend in. You can just borrow some of my stuff, it's just for tonight. Please ?"
Both Duo and Quatre looked at him making their best impression of puppy eyes. 'That should be made illegal", Wufei thought as he gave in with a sigh.
"Alright, alright, but no experiments, okay ? I want to be able to move and fight if I have to."
"Which means no leather", Duo said, starting to look into the closet, and pulling out gray trousers.
"Did you two plan this ?", Wufei asked suspiciously.
"Would you believe us if we told you we haven't ?", Quatre asked.
"No. I should have known."
Both Duo and Quatre grinned evilly and began discussing what kind of top Wufei should wear, according to his complexion.
"It won't do if he wears black", Quatre argued when Duo selected a black shirt. "He already has black hair and black eyes, it needs something else to make him stand out in the crowd."
"Wait a minute", Wufei said, "I don't want to stand out in the crowd !"
"Oh, shut up !", Duo and Quatre exclaimed at the same time.
They looked at each other, chuckled, then Quatre turned to Wufei.
"You don't have a say in this. Duo and I are the party experts, so let us do our job and don't hinder. I will accept absolutely no complaints. We will choose the perfect outfit for you."
"You two are enjoying this a bit too much for my liking", Wufei said wryly.
"Don't worry man", Duo grinned. "Once we're done with you, every lady in this town will want to have her hands on you."
"Which is a good thing because … ?"
"Oh, come on, Wu, what's the bad thing in being dressed to kill and hitting the town ? I promise you will look nice, and if some of the ladies are just a bit too sticky, just kick them like ya did to me and it'll be alright !"
"You kicked him again ?", Quatre asked.
"He started it", Wufei said very seriously.
"Yeah, I did, so what ? I ain't getting any lately, so better to get your ass kicked than nothing, uh ?"
Wufei's face flamed as Quatre dissolved in a fit of laughter.
"You'll pay for that one, Maxwell", the Chinese growled.
"Countin' on it ! Now Cat, if you will please stop trying to laugh yourself to death, go get dressed ! Now !"
"Yes, Mom", Quatre said, taking his clothes and locking himself in the bathroom.
"I'll go after him, if you don't mind", Duo said. "You can change here, you don't have to take your undies off !"
"No, thank you", Wufei said dryly. "I'll go to my room, I think you had more than enough occasions to leer at me already."
"Aww, Wu, you wound me, you know !"
"I know", Wufei said.
O.O.O.O.O
Heero was sitting at the bar, a drink in front of him. The club was noisy, but he really didn't mind. It was just easy for him to cut his brain off the loud music and chattering around him. He needed to be in a place where the people who would probably be after him wouldn't spot him right away. On L2, a club was probably the best place. The people here had no money, but they liked to have some fun like everyone else. Somehow, L2 had the reputation of having some of the best nightclubs of the galaxy, just after L4. It was probably true.
Heero never really had the chance to go clubbing. Not that he hadn't the time. He just didn't see the point. He liked music, he even could dance quite well, but going clubbing meant you were looking for some company. And although he had had quite a few dates in the past, since Odin had been executed, he didn't feel comfortable in anyone else's company but his own. And anyway, his dates were often just casual flings. He couldn't afford any of them to discover what his true activity was.
Heero took his glass and sipped some sake. He didn't drink a lot of alcohol either, but he knew he could drink a bit more without losing his abilities. He shook his head. He had to decide of a course of action. He had to meet Quatre Raberba Winner again. No, he was lying to himself. He needed to see Quatre Raberba Winner again. He needed to understand what it was about the young man that had broken his well-built walls. He had to know why he felt so drawn towards him, why he had been unable to pull the trigger that particular time, apart from the fact that he had been loath to do it in the first place.
Heero sighed as yet another girl tried to engage conversation with him. Why couldn't people just leave him alone?
'You've been left alone long enough, don't you think ?', the little voice asked.
'Doesn't mean I have to put up with a bunch of morons', Heero replied in his head.
He glared at the girl as murderously as possible. She gulped and quickly turned away. In spite of his situation, Heero couldn't help smiling a bit. When he was little, Odin had told him that his glares would have been able to cut through a five-feet thick concrete wall. He had even labeled them as 'Death Glares', and was proud to be the only one not to be unsettled by them.
Two years … two years had passed since the most feared killer of the galaxy had been executed. Heero had been his apprentice, now he had become the master. And just like his professor, he found himself unable to kill targets who did not deserve it. Odin had done it only once. Just after that, he had begun to turn down every job offer from the Doctors, and warned Heero about them. Right now, Heero wished he had remembered this sooner.
'Strange way to honor the memory of my master, to forgive so easily the principles he taught me', he thought bitterly. 'But then, it is not so surprising, since I have spent the last two years pretending he was not really dead. But this time, Odin, you were not behind me to correct my mistakes. I had to go through it all myself … probably the best way fate could find to remind me that you are not here with me anymore. Just tell me why it had to take the form of an innocent-looking target ?'
'Because it hurts so much to watch yourself in the eyes of the innocent when your hands are covered in blood ?', the little voice suggested.
Just at that moment, a little alarm rang in the back of Heero's hand. But not one he usually felt. It was not warning him that someone was ready to attack him, on the contrary, it was warning him that a soothing and friendly presence was near. He scanned the darkened room and suddenly lost his breath. Quatre Raberba Winner had entered the club and was looking straight at him, a shy smile on his lips.
O.O.O.O.O
"Hey, Kelsy", Duo yelled over the music to the girl behind the bar.
"My god, Duo !", Kelsy replied, abandoning her other clients. "It's been ages ! Where have you been ?"
"Around", Duo answered. "You got any room for us ? We're throwing a party for the kitten today."
Kelsy turned to the blond young man and her eyes widened.
"Oh my, Cat ? Is it really you ?"
"Hi, Kelsy", Quatre answered. "That's so nice to see you again."
Wufei watched the reunion scene, a bit perplex. It was actually a bit surprising to see that the heir of the Winner fortune knew a barmaid in a L2 nightclub. The only conclusion was that it was not the first time that Duo and Quatre had done this.
"It's your birthday ?", Kelsy asked.
"It was three weeks ago."
"How old are you now ?"
"Cat just turned eighteen, Kelsy !", Duo said. "That's why we gotta celebrate ! Little kitty is a big boy now !"
Quatre elbowed Duo, but smiled. Kelsy called for someone to replace her. She came to join them and directed them to the back of the club, where several private sitting areas were disposed a little apart from the dance floor. Neither Wufei nor Duo noticed it when Quatre fell a bit behind and looked around.
From the moment he had entered the club, Quatre had felt the now familiar presence of Heero in the back of his mind. It had come as a shock, since he really didn't expect him to stay around after what had happened. But in a way, it was comforting too. It meant that Heero hadn't run away from him. Quatre soon located the Japanese man seated at the bar. He smiled a bit to show him he had seen him, but did not say anything to his two companions. This moment belonged to him and Heero alone, when they shared a special understanding that no one else could see. Quatre turned away and followed Kelsy, Wufei and Duo to one of the private tables.
"What will you drink ?", Kelsy asked.
"Usual for me, Kelsy, if you remember it", Quatre said with a smile.
"So, a vodka with a lot of orange juice. Duo ?"
"Soho(2) for me, Kelsy. Without orange juice."
"Got it. And …"
Kelsy turned hesitantly to Wufei. The Chinese man smiled trying to make her more comfortable.
"I'm Wufei", he said, and he ordered a Chinese beer.
"You've been there often ?", he then asked Quatre and Duo.
"Kinda", Duo answered. "Kelsy and I were in the same gang when I was a kid, and then we lost contact when Hilde and I were brought to the orphanage. Then Cat came along, we started goin' to school and all, and suddenly one night, I was about fourteen, I come here, and I find her again ! Now every time I come, I get free drinks, and I fix her car for free every time she comes to see me !"
"What about you ?", Wufei asked Quatre.
Quatre blushed a bit.
"Well, I spent quite some holidays here with Duo, and we … sneaked out some nights. That's how I met Kelsy. She's really nice."
"How old were you ?"
"Are you sure you want to know, Wufei ?", Quatre asked suddenly, a bright sparkle in his eyes and a strange little smile on his lips.
"Probably not", Wufei admitted. "You just … you're definitely not the average spoiled brat, Quatre."
"No", Quatre said. "That's the fun of knowing me."
O.O.O.O.O
About two hours later, the three young men were happily chatting around their drinks. Both Duo and Quatre had occasionally wandered on the dance floor, but Wufei had declined. Right now, he was deeply engaged in a discussion about street combat with Duo, and fascinated because the young man knew so much stuff. Duo was someone very intelligent. He could speak seven languages quite fluently, had traveled on all the colonies and even on Earth, and had contacts everywhere. Actually, it looked like he knew everyone around. All night, people had come by and cheerily greeted Duo.
"But, Duo, you have to admit that wearing your hair that long is a liability in a combat situation !"
"That's where you are wrong, Wu ! You're taking this the wrong way 'round ! I wear my hair that long because I like it that way, but mostly because I can afford to wear it that long ! No one touches that (he pointed to his lose braid) without permission and lives long enough to be sorry !"
"I see", Wufei said. "You are telling me that only the best fighters wear their hair long, because their enemies never get close enough to use it against them."
"Exactly ! I dunno if you noticed, but most of the kids around here shave their heads. Best way not to get caught, uh, Cat ?"
When no answer came, Duo and Wufei turned to their friend's seat. It was empty.
"Damn !", Duo said. "Did you see him leaving ?"
"No", Wufei said with a frown. "Where did he go ?"
Duo looked around and suddenly pointed to the dance floor.
"Look, there he is ! Dancing with someone ! We should stop being so suspicious, this night's supposed to be fun, after all ! It's not like …"
"Duo !", Wufei interrupted.
"What ?"
"The man he's dancing with … Look at him."
"So what ?"
"That's him. Heero Yuy. The killer."
"WHAT !"
O.O.O.O.O
Heero was petrified on his seat. He hadn't been able to move since he had seen the blond young man pass him by with a smile. He was desperately trying to find his senses back, when he had the feeling to be observed. Quatre was at the other end of the dance floor, and watching him intently. A slow groove began to play, each note piercing into Heero's head.
/How can you see into my eyes like open doors
Leading you down into my core
Where I've become so numb/
Very slowly, Quatre began to make his way through the dancing couples, his eyes never leaving Heero's, his face displaying a strange mix of nervousness and anticipation. Heero shifted uneasily on his seat, hypnotized by the figure that seemed to be glowing in the darkness of the club. The lights danced on Quatre's pale skin and made his hair glow golden. But most of all, Heero was drowning in the huge eyes that pinned him right on place.
/Without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home./
Quatre closed the final distance between him and Heero. For a moment, he said nothing, studying very seriously the face of the man sitting in front of him. And then, very slowly, he extended his right hand in invitation.
"Dance with me ?", he asked softly.
Mesmerized, Heero could do nothing but nod. He took the offered hand, and let Quatre lead him to the center of the dance floor. Then, the blond young man turned to face his partner, and locked his arms around his the taller man's neck. Hesitantly, Heero closed his own arms around Quatre's waist.
"I am glad to see you again", Quatre whispered in his ear.
/Wake me up inside, wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become/
"I need to know …", Heero started, but Quatre pressed a finger on his lips, silencing him.
"No, not now", he said with a smile. "This is neither the right time nor the right place. Besides, I am not sure I can answer the questions you will ask me."
"Why ?", Heero asked.
"Because you must find the answers on your own. I can help you, but ultimately, it is you who can find the peace again. I cannot do it for you. Even though I understand your pain."
"How do you …"
"No, Heero, not now. Please, just hold me. Don't say anything."
Heero looked down at the young face.
/Now that I know what I'm without, you can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life/
Quatre gave him a smile.
"Osorenai (3), Heero", he whispered. "Soon."
Then, Quatre settled his head in the crook of Heero's neck, and closed his eyes. Heero felt an extraordinary peace washing over him. And in this moment, nothing in the world felt more important than holding Quatre close, feeling his heartbeat through the thin material of his top.
O.O.O.O.O
"What should we do ?", Wufei asked nervously, watching Quatre and Heero in the middle of the dance floor.
"Nothing", Duo answered. "They are kinda cute, don't ya think ?"
"Cute ?"
"Oh come on, Wu, it's obvious Cat's got him wrapped around his finger ! He won't do anything to him ! And damn it, he's hot too ! Too bad Cat found him first, I'd have like to have a go at it too !"
"Am I the only left with a brain in working order ?", Wufei sighed.
"Relax, Wu ! Cat knows what he's doin'."
"I hope he does. I just don't like the whole situation. I think we all need to have a serious conversation with Mr Yuy, don't you ?"
"Of course, Wu, of course. But can't you just leave them a moment of peace together ?", Duo asked, unusually serious.
Wufei shot another look to the two figures. Quatre had closed his eyes and looked more peaceful than Wufei had ever seen him. Heero's expression was not discernable under the brown bangs that almost covered his face, but his hands were now lightly resting on Quatre's hips and his head was cocked on one side, allowing Quatre's light-blond hair to caress his cheek. In spite of the worry that spread through his mind, Wufei understood Duo's point of view.
O.O.O.O.O
Heero maybe looked like he was lost to the world, but his reflexes and habits were not completely shut down. He felt the sudden change in the atmosphere of the club and cast a look around from under his bangs. Six men dressed in black had come into the club. Quatre felt Heero's sudden tension and looked up at him, his eyes questioning.
"Quatre, take your friends and go out of here the soonest possible", Heero said under his breath.
"I won't leave you alone here", Quatre answered fiercely.
"Please, go. That's me they want. I don't want you to get hurt. We still need to talk."
Quatre nodded nervously. He took something out of his pants pocket and gave it to Heero. It was an ace of diamonds with an address and a phone number on it.
"That's where I'm staying for the next three days", Quatre said. "I'll be waiting for you."
"Go", Heero urged him.
Quatre reluctantly turned away and began to walk back to his table. But after a few steps only, he suddenly ran back to Heero, threw his arms around the Japanese's neck and pressed a kiss on his lips. Then, he disappeared in to the crowd. Heero was left to stand there, his fingers on his lips, and his mind trying to decide if the last seconds were real or just from his imagination.
Heero saw Quatre, Wufei and the other young man get up and out. Chang Wufei shot him an awkward look on his way out. Heero looked back, his face expressing nothing, but pointed discretely to the six men who were now scanning the crowd. Chang nodded imperceptibly before getting out.
O.O.O.O.O
"Why do we have to leave now ?", Duo protested as they walked out of the club.
"There were people in here that were after Heero. I think he was afraid they would use me as a bait to make him go out", Quatre said, a light frown on his face.
"Why would there be people goin' after him ?"
"Because he did not fulfill his contract", Wufei said. "He is now a target for everyone else. He broke the rules."
"But what if he gets hurt ?", Quatre said. "How many were they ?"
"Six. But that's not really what I'm worried about at the moment", Wufei said, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"What do you mean ? They're six against one ! He could get killed."
"Quatre, you seem to forget he is a trained killer. And it's not six against one. There are three of them behind us right now !"
Wufei suddenly turned around and launched a kick apparently at random in the dark. A muffled yelp of pain told the two other youths that he had touched someone.
"Enough !" someone yelled. "Hands up !"
A man brandishing a gun got out of the shadows. None of the three young men obeyed to the command.
"Hands up where I can see them !", the man repeated.
Duo ran to the man, taking him by surprise. He punched him square on the nose and twisted his wrist, making him drop the gun.
"Did ya see that one, ya bastard ?", he sneered. "Close enough for ya, or do ya want me to show ya the other one ?"
"We must get back to the car", Wufei said.
The three young men turned around … and fell face to face with another gun. Far too close to run away if the man holding it decided to fire.
"If you will please stop, gentlemen. I think my colleagues are done with Yuy now, but there's still one million dollars on that pretty blond head."
Both Duo and Wufei clenched their fists, but there was nothing they could do. The gun was pointed directly at Quatre's head. Quatre himself was very pale. The man took out a radio transmitter.
"Rogers, are you done ? Rogers !"
There was some crackling, then a familiar voice rang back.
"I am afraid Rogers will not be available for a very, very long time."
"Yuy !"
"Drop your gun now."
"No way ! Try something and I'll do a nice little hole in your beloved's head !"
"I warned you."
"Where is he ?" Duo whispered, looking around in the darkness.
Wufei was doing the same, but none of them could locate Heero.
"You can't blame anyone else but you. Good night", Heero's voice said.
A shot rang through the hair. The man stumbled and slid to the floor, stupor painted on his face. Wufei kneeled besides the corpse.
"He's been shot at the back of the head", he said.
"Shit, that guy's got nerves !", Duo exclaimed. "But where is he ?"
"Up there", Quatre suddenly said, pointing to the roof of a warehouse across the street.
They looked up, and discerned a dark form, barely visible against the night sky.
"Do you believe me now, Wufei ?", Quatre asked. "He just saved our lives. He saved my life."
"Yes, he did", Wufei said, his eyes glued to the figure. "I really don't get it, but he did. I think that this man is someone really interesting. Really, really interesting. I just can't wait to meet him."
"Be careful, Cat !", Duo guffawed. "I think Wu wants to steal your boyfriend !"
"Maxwell ! My name is Wufei, and I am not …"
"I know, I know, just wanted to make you scream a bit !"
"Maxwell …", Wufei growled.
"Guys", Quatre interrupted. "Could we please go home ? I'm cold, I'm scared, I was nearly killed tonight, and I really could use some sleep."
Duo and Wufei turned to Quatre. The blond young man was shivering, and he looked exhausted. Duo put an arm around the thin shoulders.
"Sorry, Cat. Of course, we'll go home. We all need rest. Let's not stay here, or you'll catch a cold."
O.O.O.O.O
Heero watched the three young men walk over to a great black limousine and get inside. He let out a sigh of relief once the car was out of view, and put his gun back in his holster. This time, his hand had not shaken. The bullet had flown to his target and interrupted his life in a second. So simply. But then, why had it all been so complicated with Quatre Winner ?
Heero took out the card. The single diamond in the middle, and the address written neatly around it. The place where all his questions would find their answers.
O.O.O.O.O
(1) Chinese for 'I'm fine'.
(2) I don't know if this alcohol is well known abroad, but this is a favorite for young people in France every time there's a party and it's very good either alone or mixed with juice. This is actually a litchi liquor.
(3) Japanese for 'Don't be afraid'. cheers L-sama