1 o'clock by: transcendent.

A.N.: I updated this. This is my favorite fic of the ones I already have out. Why? I have no clue. For all of you who decide this has errors, I KNOW I KNOW ALREADY, okay? Liz-chan edits everything AFTER I post them. Why is this? I just like posting things after I write them, so it doesn't give me a change to think it's crap and get rid of it. Right, so read on.

Dedication: SilverCaladan - for inspiring me and pushing me to write better. Thank you for editing for me and putting up with me.

ALL STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLY. READ CAUTIOUSLY IF YOU ARE UNDER 13 YEARS OF AGE.

Chapter Two: No Appreciation Heero listened carefully to the conversation. He had been tracking down this killer for so long. The idea of putting this man to death made him smile from ear to ear. As sinister as his smile was, it was still a smile which was a rare thing on his face.

The only problem in achieving his ultimate goal was the fact that Heero knew nothing about this man, not even his name. So this is why he went to the Chief Coroner. From what he had been told, she took her job seriously and she was over curious about the cause of death of every one of her 'patients'. So curious that sometimes she went as far as solving the case by herself with two of her friends.

He had been told other things about her, things he would rather not think about. All he wanted was to question her about the death of Relena Peacecraft. He wanted to know every detail of her death and possibly what went through her mind when she saw the body of the girl.

He had gone to knock on the door, but heard her voice and stopped himself. She was literally yelling to herself. Then he heard something that made in cringe. This Chief Coroner that he had heard so much about on the news had a connection to the killer he had been after for several years. She was his daughter.

He highly doubted she would be cooperative with her story. He gathered from the conversation that she couldn't do something he had asked of her. No matter what that was he was planning on finding out. This girl would be a key suspect in solving this multiple murders.

He unlocked the door and moved in slowly. He didn't want to catch her off guard. He had snuck into the hallway that led to her room and he watched her look out the window. Her eyes widened and she went to scream, but what came out wasn't a shriek, it was a gunshot.

He moved fast, gritting his teeth to get to her faster. He didn't want another girl to end up dead because of this man. He leapt, tackling the blonde to the ground.

When her eyes opened she looked at him, wondering who the hell he was and where the hell he came from. But what came out was different.

"Get off of me!" she yelled, pushing his masculine body off of her thin frame.

He grunted. What a nice way to show appreciation for saving her life?

"Who shot that rifle, Miss Aino?" he asked, sitting up but avoiding the window.

"I don't know," she lied. Her voice steady and smooth. She stood up, walking past the window and heading for her nearest exit.

"Where do you think your going?" he grabbed her shoulder after he stood up.

Minako yanked away. "I'm sorry, but I would like to stay alive."

She continued her journey to the door, exiting her penthouse and heading for the elevator. She turned around after she pressed the elevator down button. "Who are you?"

"Heero Yuy."

"And you are here on what business?" She was used to people coming to ask her questions, or just bothering her all together. People did not like her line of duty, and they liked to express their emotions avidly to her.

"I came to question you about the murder of Relena Peacecraft."

Minako's reply came too quickly. "I know nothing."

The elevator door opened and she walked in. He took a place next to her, his hands in his coat pockets. His unruly dark brown hair hung loosely around his face, pieces falling into his cobalt eyes. His body was lean but muscular, just south of an average height.

What the girl noticed was he black slacks and white dress shirt with an undone black tie. Had he just come from work?

"You examined her body, as well as others murdered by the notorious killer."

She shrugged, wishing the elevator would go faster. "I did."

"What did you find?"

"What do you expect, Mr. Yuy? Like all of the other murders, he told her to take her clothes off, he did God knows what with her, put the bullet through her head and possibly ate part of her shoulder then removed the skin. He might have made a pattern then removed it, we don't know yet."

"Did he rape her?"

"We haven't found a trace of semen."

The man said nothing, just watched the numbers count down above the elevator door.

Minako watched him out of the corner of her eye. "Anything else?"

"Who was the guy you were talking to?"

"M-My father…" she looked over at him before directing her attention at the doors again. "Were you listening?"

"You were yelling pretty loud."

"So I was," she agreed. She wiped her face, hoping there were no tear stains on her cheeks. "I have a friend who can help you."

He looked down at her questioningly.

"With your shoulder, that is," she finished, pointing slightly to the cut.

He nodded.

"And thank you for saving my life, I suppose."

"What couldn't you do for him?"

"Nothing that is worth your time or energy to get out of me."

He ignored her. "What other things have you done for him?"

She was silent. This time Minako chose to ignore him. She didn't have to answer his questions. So far he hadn't flashed a badge or a warrant. She was free to say what she pleased, whether it is nothing, the truth or a big lie.

"I'm a bitter woman, Mr. Yuy. I've seen more deaths than one could ever wish for. So please understand my actions in not answering your questions."

"I heard you were more sunshine than gray skies."

"Not anymore."

"What happened?"

"A man, Mr. Yuy." The door opened and she took the opportunity the end the conversation where it was. She had lied completely. She wasn't a bitter woman. Or at least she wasn't on the outside.

He followed her, staying a step behind her. "You don't have to answer my questions truthfully. But I'll find out whether you lie or not."

She shrugged. It didn't matter to her.

"Why does he kill?"

"For the same reason they all kill, fame."

"I don't believe that's the case."

"Then what do you think is the case, Mr. Yuy?" she turned around, glaring up at him at full force.

"I believe there is someone higher than him, Miss Aino."

"Someone controlling him?" she asked. She turned around and continued walking, knowing he would follow. She wasn't going to stay in her home for now. She knew he could come at any moment and she wasn't prepared for that yet.

His reply was grim; his patience was running short. "He's just a pawn being used to cut the game down."

"Down to what, Mr. Yuy? An unfair chess board?" she was very skeptical about this man's idea.

"If you put it that way, yes."

"Then what? Is my father just killing random people in order to gain…power or something?"

He had finally gotten something out of this blonde. She had admitted that the killer was her father without knowing it. He chose to go on with the conversation. "Exactly, but not random people."

"Sure, whatever, Mr. Yuy. He's just in it for the thrill."

"The thrill," Heero snorted.

"My car or your car, Mr. Yuy?"

"Yours."

"We'll take yours then. I don't need you to be snooping in my car."

"How will you get home?"

"I have a friend; I've already told you this."

He didn't reply and she didn't mind much. She'd rather this conversation was over anyways. As much fun as it was to play the sour woman, the gruff man beside her was too tough for her liking.

Sure, this man was handsome. She was positive this man wasn't good with his words, or anything emotional having to do with his face for that matter. She hadn't seen him move his luscious lips from that frown since they had first met.

When the neared the black sleek Porsche, he undid the alarm and unlocked the doors. She opened the passenger side and stepped into the car, taking a seat on the leather chair. She couldn't help but wonder how he had bought this car and kept it so damn nice looking.

He took his seat next to her in the driver's side, turned the car on and stepped on the pedal after he grabbed hold of the steering wheel. They turned out of the parking lot and head down the street.

"McKingsley Hospital on 8th street," she directed him without him having to ask. How was he able to drive with that arm?

He nodded his head and took a left on 8th. The big white hospital came into view as soon as they pulled up. The hospital was large, larger than most. It contained what any normal hospital did; waiting rooms, lounges, emergency desk and wing, ER wing, surgery, patients being treated, and parking to accommodate half the town.

They walked in together, inches apart. She went up to the desk and asked the lady for her nurse friend.

"Ah, one moment please," the stout woman with overly curly short white hair smiled to the pair. She picked up the phone and dialed a few numbers and asked for the doctor. "Just wait over there, she's on her way."

"Thank you."

Without further questioning, the two sat down at the seats pointed out to them and waited.

"Why'd you become a Coroner?" Heero asked her after a few minutes of silence.

She didn't answer. Why should she answer him? He was really getting on her last nerve.

"Let me ask you this," she began, choosing her words carefully. "Why do you do what you do?"

He shrugged. "I want peace. Just like Relena Peacecraft wanted."

"You knew her then?"

"Briefly, I met her when I was younger. She was a pacifist."

"Not many of those around these days."

"Minako?"

Minako stood up, smiling at her long time friend. "Hello Ami."

"Oh no…Minako…did he?" the short blue haired girl, Ami walked over to her friend and held her in her arms.

"It's okay Ames," Minako pulled back. "I need you to wrap this man's shoulder. He saved my life so I guess I owe him something."

Heero grunted.

"I'll need him to fill out the forms…"

"No, Ami. It's a gunshot wound," Minako put her hand on the forms, pushing them away.

Ami sighed. "Fine, fine, fine. But I will not do this again, Minako. It could cost my job."

"Thank you so much!" Minako flung into Ami's arms and hugged her tightly. "I hope this will be the last time. This man, Heero Yuy…that's what he said his name was, is investigating the murders. Hopefully he'll solve it before HE murders again."

So this was the real Minako Aino? Heero thought to himself. Was she the mean bitter woman he was talking to earlier, or this overly dramatic girl she was being with this nurse? Two faced, he reflected, she hides one to protect herself.

"Okay, Mr. Yuy. Come with me, I'll treat your wound. I am Dr. Ami Mizuno," Ami smiled down at him, her blue eyes shining. She led him to a small room where he sat down on one of the beds. She started cleaning his shoulder after he took one of his arms out of his shirt.

"Did you drive with this arm?" Ami asked him, looking up from her work fully concerned.

"Yes."

"How did you do it? You have a ripped tendon and it looks like it almost grazed your shoulder bone here…"

"High pain tolerance level."

"Impressive, Mr. Yuy," Minako scowled.

"Why did you let him drive, Minako? You should know better." Ami inspected the wound further, cleaning it more.

"Like I was going to let him look through my car, Ami," Minako answered, taking a seat in the chair by the bed.

"Minako…"

"I'm sorry Ami, won't happen again."

"You say that about everything."

"Do not! Take that back, Ames! I do you favors, you do me favors!"

Ami smiled heartedly, starting to wrap his shoulder. "I expect you won't use your arm to much."

"Can't promise," Heero answered dully.

"He doesn't say much unless he has too," Minako analyzed. "I noticed it earlier. By the way, Ami, would you mind if I stayed here with you until your shift was over and spend a few nights? I can't stay at my place."

"No problem. We can go over Relena Peacecraft's murder."

"As long as Usagi doesn't find out. That poor girl will have a heart attack at the thought of murder. She already hates my job, she's hated it since I started."

"Who's Usagi?"

"Curious one, aren't you?" Minako indicted. "Usagi is our friend. She's a pacifist, like Relena Peacecraft. She's been on high surveillance since the murders started so don't ask any more questions."

"Don't be rude, Minako."

"Sorry, mother."

"Don't take that tone with me. Besides, he saved your life you should be grateful."

"The world is against me today, I see."

"I'd like to set up an appointment with you for later, Miss Aino. I'd like to get your story."

"I don't have a story, Mr. Yuy."

"I'd like to hear whatever you have, then. Tomorrow at 2PM?"

Minako smirked.

A.N.: Damn, what a long chapter. I certainly am getting better at writing more. I could have gone on, but I decided to have a little cliffhanger. I don't know if I'm going to go focus this more on Minako or Heero yet. But Minako, Heero and Ami are all going to play key parts in this. They MAY OR MAY NOT BE COUPLES. I'm still contemplating on it. Couples, are getting cliché. SilverCaladan told me something like this. Hmm, am I living off of her words? lol That'd be funny. Transcendent (no, I am not vain.)