CHAPTER 36
Duo stared up at the ceiling and listened to his captors mumble in the next room. Ever since Herman had left, he'd been left on his own. Harry, the big guy, had tended to his wounds. Duo had awoken just as he had finished up with him. Duo sighed. His legs had been untied but his hands were still bound. Every few days though his captors came and undid the bindings.
It was odd, but instead of feeling intense hatred towards them, he was beginning to understand them. They wanted change, they were just going about it the wrong way. He was angry, of course, but he almost wanted to help them – after he gave them a solid beating for being idiots.
The government and its employees were too proud to give in to hostages and such demands. While Duo had no doubt that Heero would save him, he knew that Heero would never involve his government or get assistance in a personal matter, that was just who Heero was. Using him, Duo, would get them nowhere.
Duo sighed and shifted uncomfortably. He was restless. Rolling onto his side, Duo tried to decide if he was restless enough to consider trying to stand. It took quite a bit of effort on his part so he often stayed on the ground, but today he wasn't just antsy he was disturbed, like something was about to happen and he had to be ready for it. Groaning in annoyance, Duo rolled onto his side and with no little amount of effort pulled himself into a sitting position. Then, scooching himself backwards, he pushed himself against the wall and laboriously pushed himself upward.
His extended abdomen protested the strain and the effort. Panting, Duo tried to calm his stomach down but it didn't seem to work. Leaning into the corner he felt his stomach revolt and his sad excuse for a breakfast come up in a most unpleasant way.
Breathing deeply, Duo moved away from the stench, his head reeling trying to regain control. It took a bit but he succeeded and was able to stand steadily. Once he was steady he began pacing, making invisible patterns on the floor in a semi-creative way to pass time in this 10 x 12 room and to get a bit of exercise. Even with his sorry excuse for a diet, he was putting on the weight and not just from the growing child within him.
If he wasn't pregnant he would probably be doing jumping jacks, sit ups and push ups. Of course if he wasn't pregnant he could probably escape this pathetic excuse of a prison. Every time he let his mind wander he came up with a dozen plans for getting out of here, but most of them required him to not be knocked up. It was beginning to get redundant. Duo hated what-ifs and that was what he was surviving on.
Time passed. Duo was actually getting rather good at telling the time, approximately, by the sun. He didn't really have anything better to do, so he began guessing the time. He also was finding naps a much entertaining thing then before. He wasn't sure if he was more tired from his slothful lifestyle, or if it just the child inside of him. He was pretty sure he'd read somewhere once that you got more tired the farther along in a pregnancy you were.
Duo arched his back in a sad attempt to alleviate some of his soreness. Unfortunately what he really needed was a good, long, thorough backrub from Heero. And while Heero was at it, he could massage his thighs and arms, which were cramped and sore as well.
Heero.
Duo missed Heero. Not only was Duo lonely, but he was desperate and helpless. If Heero were nearby, he would save him from his loneliness, but as it was, Heero seemed to be having trouble saving him from his captors. Duo sighed. Where was he?
For no good reason, it had taken Heero a week to locate Norris' home address. It was mostly because he wasn't filed under his own name. In fact, he was filed under the name of someone who had died two years ago, Clement Bailm. For obvious reasons, that behaviour added to Heero's suspicion of Norris.
Heero stared at the apartment that was Norris' current home. Hilde stood behind him, hands on her hips and lips tight. "If he knows where he is, I will kill him for not telling anyone," She growled. Heero nodded and strode up to Norris' door, he was on the second floor and his apartment overlooked the pool. Not bad for sorry-assed backstabber. Heero knocked on the door. No point in breaking down the door if Norris' wasn't even there. Heero listened carefully. He heard footsteps behind the door, but no one opened the door.
"Open the door, I know you're in there and if you don't open the door I will break it down. And trust me, you will not be able to persecute me, so think carefully on your choice." His voice came out low and dangerous, just loud enough to be heard through the door.
After a moment, the door opened. There was Norris. He was wearing a cheesy knock-off designer jacket, but he still looked good, Heero had to admit. Yet, Heero's hatred for this man was strong enough that all he wanted to do was smash that smug pretty boy face in. Heero charged in and grabbed Norris' collar.
"Now, I want you to tell me where Duo is, and if you answer me fast enough I may let you live."
Norris' eyes widened and Hilde squeaked. "NORRIS! What did you do to Duo?!" She peered into his eyes, a dangerous glint in her own.
A faint odor wafted up, but Heero ignored it. Norris was literally quaking. His mouth gaped open and close a few times. "How did you know I knew?"
Heero's grip tightened. "I always know." Heero's voice was so low that it was hardly audible, yet the quiet, emotionless voice was more frightening than any screamed threat ever would be. "Now tell me where he is and you won't need to see the dentist for a pair of dentures."
Norris shook. "He's in the Black Ridge Forest . . . on the American continent." Heero's hand loosened a bit, and a look of relief passed over Norris' face. Heero saw that look and smirked. So he knew where Duo was, generally.
"Where in the forest? Its a whole forest, I need a bit more specific than that?!" Heero said, his voice rising in pitch.
"On Oakcrest Lake, on the southern b-border." Heero's hand clenched into a fist. It was at least a day's worth of travel to get there, and here he was on the other side of the planet. All because of some stupid blond haired dope. At least, Heero wanted to blame him, he'd been trying to find someone to blame for over a month now and he had someone.
Heero's fist came up and made short work of Norris' pert little nose. Norris crumpled. Looking down in disgust, Heero realized the odor he had smelled was that of the blond man urinating on himself. Pansy. Heero snorted derisively.
Heero left the room quickly, in long, purposeful strides. From his belt he pulled a small phone and he speed-dialed Wufei. "Chang, I have a injured person here, someone related to Duo's kidnapping. I have Duo's location. Send someone to pick this bastard up and question him. Don't let him out of your site until I've dealt with him." Wufei tried to ask a question, but Heero caught him off, curtly giving Wufei the address and hanging up.
"Heero! Oi, Heero!" Hilde ran up beside him. "Are you able to afford a plane? Because if not, I will-"
"Yes, I can get a plane. No you aren't coming with me."
"What are you talking about? Of course I'm going with you! I'm just as much a part of this as you are, so don't tell me I'm not going." Heero glared at her. She glared back.
"Fine, but I'm in charge, you get in the way, I'm tying you to a tree 'til I find time to come back and get you, understand?" Hilde nodded smugly. "Let's go."
Duo woke. It was night out, the moon was shining weakly through his window. Something wasn't right. He felt unsettled, not ill exactly, but everything was definitely not as it should be . . . even disregarding the whole kidnapping part. He rolled over on his pathetic futon with a few spare pillows. His back ached and his stomach was cramping oddly.
Duo winced. A small bolt of pain slithered along his stomach and his backside. It tightened and then released. Duo took in a deep breath, his eyes widening.
Definitely not good.
tsuzuku
DONE! Whee!!!! I blame... my computer and... erm... writers block for the lateness of this chapter... but well! Next chapter guys! Much excitement! YAY!!!! WooP! Its late, so I am cutting these notes short, but I love you guys! Thanks soo much for your wonderful support as I wrote this chapter! glomps every single reviewer I LOVE YOU!
To PATTY 40: I just wanted to mention this, my family definitely gives to an epilepsy foundation b/c i have a brother who is an epileptic hugs
Annie
P. S. I got REALLY tired of typing the name Norris... what a dumb name
