Never Impossible
Chapter 9: Past
Sunday Night,
Umi was chopping the cabbage when the door opened. Umi turned to see Heero entering the kitchen. " I am back." He told her. Umi smiled and continued chopping the cabbage. Umi took up Heero's offer and moved in with him. She hadn't really forgotten about Stephanie, but life still has to continue. " You don't have to cook, we could just eat out." Heero told her, he closed the door of the fridge. Umi smiled. " I like cooking. It's healthier." She explained. Heero walked over to where she was. " You need help?" He asked, Umi looked at him. " Well, help me take over this, I have to fry something." She told him. Heero took her place and went chopping the cabbage, he did it so fast, she couldn't even see the knife. " You won't want to chop it into pieces so fine." She told him.
She took out the pan and heats it up. She then took out a plate from the frozen section of the fridge. The oil had heated up. Umi then placed the pieces in, she turned them over. Heero then went on the chopping carrots. Umi turned off the fire. " Done, now we just have to wait." Umi told him and placed it on the table. " What is it?" Heero asked, without looking up. " Prawn and chicken meat, deep fried." She told him and poured away the oil in the frying pan. " Done." Heero told her. Umi did a check and asked him to stir the vegetables together. She did ham omelet. Then, she got the rice ready.
The set the dining table and sat down. They started eating. They sat opposite each other. " Honestly, it's delicious." He told her, Umi smiled brighter. " Thanks." She told him. Heero studied her, she looked at him. " What?" She asked. Heero sighed, " I didn't think that someone like you who comes from a rich family will even learn to cook." Heero told her, Umi smiled and took a piece of the deep fried prawn and chicken meat. " Well, I learnt it, because I love cooking and I want to cook delicious food for the one I loved." Umi told him softly. Heero smiled suddenly. " I believe he will be the luckiest man in the universe." Heero told her. Umi smiled.
" I always felt that cooking for someone I loves the most, was something that felt very special. And, I will feel happy when he likes the dishes I cooked, for him." Umi told Heero. Heero smiled again, Umi hardly sees him smile. " Well, you won't be the only one who felt that way." He told her. Umi smiled, she felt happy that she was having dinner with Heero. And, it felt like they were a happily married couple, enjoying dinner at home together.
Heero insisted on helping her wash the dishes. So, they were sharing the sink, soaping the plates. " Do you often do housework?" Umi asked, Heero shook his head. " No, I am too busy, I hardly come home." He told her and turned on the tap to wash the dish. " Oh, then how do you keep the house clean?" Umi asked him waiting for her turn. " My computers monitor the house, I invented a few machines to clean the house daily." Heero explained and handled the wet dish to Umi. Umi wiped them dry, while Heero washes the plates. Umi then tried to put them back on their shelve, but she was too short. She tried tiptoeing, but it didn't work. Heero took the dishes and placed them on the shelve. " Well, it's always good to have a tall man around." Umi told him, he smiled and left the kitchen. Umi looked at the sink, the water was slowly being drained out. Her reflection showed that she was smiling.
Monday Morning,
There was a meeting, for all the Preventers. " We all vote that Umi was to work on her own, and ask for help if needed. Team work will also come in, but we want you to start doing solo work." Lady Une told Umi. Umi looked at Heero, he shrugged.
Umi got her very own office, she was sharing the floor with Sally, it felt weird to start work on her own, what happened to the teamwork?
1 week past,
Umi managed to solve all easy cases forced to her, they were easy and didn't require much attention or help. Like Sally, she just had to wait for cases the Preventers are too busy to handle. There was this Case-chain. The top was Heero, then Trowa, then Quatre, then Wufei, then Duo. Then it was linked to Zechs, then to Noin, then to Sally and then finally her. So she was last and at the bottom of the Case-chain. So, it seems almost impossible for a case to be handled down all the way to her and that no one before her would take it.
They were all called to the meeting room. As usual, everyone waited for Lady Une to arrive. She came in with a file and she didn't look very happy. She slammed the door shut and closed all the curtains. They guys all sat up straight.
" What the HELL DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING!" She suddenly shouted. Umi was shocked, a bit dizzy. It was so loud that t caused her to become dizzy. Heero didn't respond.
" Duo, you knew the rules. It was clearly stated that we are not to be part of victim's personal life. You spent 1 week with her, tell me what happened?" Lady Une asked, Duo looked surprised. " As in… Pauline?" Duo asked. Everyone looked at him. He cleared his throat, he tried to look innocent. " What did he do?" Umi whispered to Sally.
" Didn't you hear? He and Miss Pauline, you know, they slept with each other. Lady Une found out. We met Pauline in a pub and at the ladies, she was talking about Duo's equipment." Sally whispered to Umi. Umi couldn't imagine what Lady Une would have felt like.
" As you can see, I am a normal guy." Duo told them, he was sweating. " And?" Lady Une asked, still looking furious. " Okay, we slept with each other. I mean this kind of thing is a fling. I mean we all had one-night stands before. For god's sake, we are all human, male and female. It's normal." Duo told them. Umi honestly hated the subject of Sex so she didn't really like to stay in there.
" I know that well, Duo. I don't care about your personal and sex life outside the office. But, Pauline is a victim of a case. We can't go around sleeping with people who filed the case just because you helped them. It's stupid." Lady Une shouted. Duo didn't respond.
" Umi, suggest ways to punish Duo." Lady Une told Umi. Umi blinked as everyone turned to her. Duo was giving her the puppy eyes, sort of like pleading. " Er… Since it's about sex, He will have to be under survey for 2 weeks. And no sex for him." Umi told them. Lady Une thought about it. " Wise, but too short. 1 month then." She told Duo. Duo gaped. " What! One Month? I can't wait that long!" Duo shouted. " If not, we will just have to give you a sex change. Heero, you take charge. Make sure he doesn't flirt or even come close to a female." Lady Une told him. Heero nodded without talking.
" Then, you will live with Heero for a month." Lady Une told Duo. " Please, hell no. Who knows what Heero will do to me there? He's scary!" Duo told Lady Une. " How does 2 months sound?" She asked him in return. " No, the punishment is fair, very fair." He told Lady Une. He straightened and sat down, eyeing Umi. Umi didn't think that she had anything to do with it. " Ouch!" Duo shouted, staring at Heero. Heero had stepped on Duo's foot. " I didn't see it there." Heero said flatly.
" Now, guys listen up. Rules are rules. You cannot bend them. We received a case that seems hard. We need two agents. Who wants to take it up?" Lady Une asked. Umi didn't want to take it up. Duo volunteered, no one seems to want to take it. " Fine, Umi, I want you to take this case too." Lady Une told her. Umi gaped, " So that's settled." Lady Une told them and turned to leave.
" Lady Une." Heero said suddenly. She stopped to listen. " I will come along to ensure that duo doesn't slack too much." Heero told Lady Une. She looked at Duo to Umi. " Fine. Three may not be enough. Call Trowa if you need his help." Lady Une told them and left.
At Heero's room,
" I mean I can't believe it. She suggested that. Now it's one whole week of no sex." Duo exclaimed. Duo had to move in with Heero today. " It's not that bad." He told Duo. " Well, of course to you. You never seem to have sex before." Duo told Heero, he received a punch in the face. " My sex life is just different from yours. Too many one-night-stand is bad. You might get AIDS. Even though you may have taken the necessary precautions." Heero told Duo. Duo rubbed his bruised face. " I know, I just can't find the right girl yet. Besides, Sex is good. It gives me a lot of pleasure. You should try it out too." Duo told Heero. Heero shook his head. " Come on, after 1 month, I will drag you to a pub." Duo told Heero.
There came a knock on the door. " Come in." Heero said. Duo turned to face the door. Umi came in and closed the door, ignoring Duo's look.
" It's about the case." She told Heero, treating Duo invisible. Heero nodded, gesturing to a chair. Duo sat down on another chair. " Umi, Duo's moving in tonight." Heero told Umi. Umi blinked, Duo looked confused. " Why are you telling her?" Duo asked, Heero looked at Duo then to Umi.
" She moved in a week ago, to live with me." Heero told Duo. Duo gaped then started giving those wicked looks. " So, tell me, did anything happen between the two of you? Sparks… Or worse?" Duo asked, wickedly. " Don't expect anything. We live on different floors." Heero told Duo. " Well, I think everyone would like to know." Duo told Heero. He was gleaming like mad, Umi looked at Heero. He just flipped open the file to show that he had no comments on that.
" Heero…" Umi told him softly. Heero looked at her then to the smiling Duo. Duo was gleaming wickedly again. Umi reached to touch Heero's hand, not caring about the fact that Duo was there. She read his mind, it was blank. He wasn't feeling anything. Like he saw them as purely neutral. Umi felt depressed, she couldn't hide the disappointment in her as she released Heero's hand. Duo started teasing her, she just ignored him. " Back to the case." Heero ordered, Duo sighed and let the matter off.
After work,
They went to Duo's house to get his luggage. Heero went up to make sure that Duo was packing the right stuff. Umi waited in the car, she sighed. She had to admit, she had been feeling empty this week. They set off towards Heero's house. Heero told Duo the rules.
" And most importantly, keep your hands off Umi. I know that when there's no choice, you will turn to anyone. So, if I find out I will kill you." Heero warned Duo. " Wow, I didn't know you cared about her so much. Like she's already yours or something." Duo told Heero. Heero looked around to make sure that Umi wasn't there.
" Look, I am to protect her. I am under orders. If she doesn't like you, leave it that way." Heero told Duo. Duo sighed. " Wake up Heero. Haven't you ever noticed her? I mean she was always there and you are so totally blind." Duo told Heero.
" I mean, look at her. She's so distracting and sexy. And you have no reactions? Are you even a normal guy?" Duo asked. Heero ignored Duo's comment. Duo went to unpack his bag. Heero went o his room. He couldn't help keep thinking about Umi. Duo was right, he wasn't blind. He was just pretending to be. He had noticed her, he always did. It was just that she became more distracting since she moved in. But, He had to act like he was cold and blind. Even if he didn't it would be so not him. He tensed up when he felt someone resting his or her hands on his shoulder. He turned to see Umi. " I came in, you looked tired." She whispered. Heero tried to get up.
She pushed him back down. " Don't be so tensed up." She whispered as she started to massage him. Heero instantly tensed up, he wasn't that used to a woman's touch. " Umi, honestly, I am fine." He told Umi. Umi gave up, since he wouldn't relax. She let go of him. She closed and locked the door. Heero watched her closely.
" Honestly, Heero, what do you think of me?" Umi asked him. Heero raised an eyebrow although he wanted to start coughing. " I mean as in general. Do I look that bad?" Umi asked. Heero started coughing. " No, you look fine." He told her softly. " But am I attractive? I mean, you guys don't seem to be attracted to me. Not that I want you all to. It's weird, like no one seems to feel that way about me." Umi told Heero. Heero tried to look for a better word to say.
" It's because we all know that you are off limits." Heero told her. " You mean, you did notice me?" Umi asked him slowly. Heero tried to think of a better way to answer than to say no. " Actually, I was talking about the other guys. I know my limits." He told her. Umi looked confused then she looked happy. Realizing that they did kiss before. How could she forget? " Thanks anyway." Umi told him and left the room. Geez, why girls always ask this kind of questions?
Tuesday Morning,
Umi sat up on her bed feeling a bit weird. She had slept last night on her table. Looks like Heero had carried her to her bed. She was having a headache. Opening the drawers to find the pills, she saw a box inside. Taking it out, she opened it. There was a necklace, like a lock and key. The key was stuck at the lock. The lock was heart-shaped. There were diamonds on it and it looked kind of new. There was a note on it. Even though Umi's head still hurt, she couldn't help being curious. Even though her darling angel was screaming no. She turned the key, the lock clicked open. There were two sides. Each side was a picture. There was a picture of Heero and another girl. Very curious and confused, Umi opened the note.
You are someone I cannot live without. I love you with all my heart. I want to be there by your side, every minute, and every second of your day.
From Heero
After Colony 198
Umi felt her heart being shot by an arrow, Heero did have a Lover. Her name was Serenity. She was blonde and had a pair of romantic blue eyes. She was fair and was smiling brightly. It was two years ago… Didn't anyone know about it? The guys didn't say anything. Why was she so stupid to think that he wasn't someone's? Confused, she thought if she should clear it out or, keep quiet about it. No, she will ask Heero. Taking the box and the note, she left her room. Thoughts had started to replace her headache.
" Where's Umi? I am so starving!" Duo told Heero. They were at the kitchen, waiting for Umi before they start breakfast. " The room's bed is so comfortable. I want to stay here forever!" Duo exclaimed. Heero looked up when Umi came down the stairs. She was holding something. Standing at the steps, she stopped moving.
" Is something wrong? We are all waiting for you here." Duo told Umi. Umi felt that it was best that she talked one to one with Heero. But, Duo should know about this too. She went over to the table. Feeling a bit guilty, she sighed and stood there. Duo looked confused, Heero just watched her.
" Something you want to talk about?" Heero asked softly. Umi nodded silently and placed the box onto the table gently. Duo looked confused, Umi watched Heero's expression. He looked perfectly normal then after seeing the box, he quickly walked over and slapped Umi hard in her face. Duo gaped while Umi was too shocked. Heero grabbed the box off the table, Umi covered her face with her hand. It hurts… She was never slapped before. Never, anyone dared to hit her. He slapped her…
" Some things are off limits and you shouldn't look at them." Heero shouted at her. " I was just curious." Umi told him, He looked even more angered. " Curiosity may even lead you to death. Now, get out of my sight at once. I do not want you to mention anything about this!" He yelled at her. Umi looked at Duo then turned to run away. She left the house and got into her car. She drove straight out of the house. She never looked back, nor even looked at the rear mirror. AS she was driving, she felts tears fell down from hr eyes.
" Heero, what was that about?" Duo asked softly. Heero passed the box to Duo, Duo returned it after a first glance. " Looks like she found out. You didn't keep it well enough." Duo told Heero. Heero pocketed the box in silence. " Look, she's the past so we have to move on." Duo told Heero.
Sitting in the park, Umi felt so hopeless. She should have kept it to herself, no, she shouldn't even look at it at all. Crying, she looked up at the sky, hoping that it would rain heavily, to cover up the fact that she was crying. Why was she so concerned about Heero?
" Trowa, can I ask you a favor?" Heero asked Trowa through the phone. " Sure thing, man." He told Heero. Heero sighed and looked at the worried Duo. " It's Umi. I slapped her, she left in the morning at about 7.00am and now it is 9.00pm. She's been out for 14 hours. Can you find her for me?" Heero asked. There was silence at the other end. " Why don't you do it yourself?" Trowa asked softly. " I can't, it's not that easy for me to forgive her." Heero told him. " Okay, I think I know where she is." Trowa told Heero. Heero thanked Trowa and hung up.
" So?" Duo asked, Heero placed the phone back. " He will find her." He told Duo. Duo knew that he shouldn't mention anything about what happened, so he just let it go.
It was raining heavily, Umi had been sitting in the same position for so long she didn't even realize what time it was. She saw the sunset, but didn't care. She felt cold in the rain. Even though she was no longer crying, she felt very upset deep inside. Suddenly the raindrops were no longer falling on her. She looked up to see an umbrella, and Trowa standing there, holding it. Umi looked back at the lake in front of her.
" Heero told me to find you. He said that it's late. You have been out too long." Trowa told Umi. Umi suddenly asked herself, why couldn't she like Trowa instead. But yet, she loved Heero so much. " I am fine." She forced, Trowa didn't seem to believe her. Of course, she couldn't even fool a baby. " Come on, let's go back." He told her. Umi shook her head. " No, I don't want to go back there." She told him. Trowa understood, asking her to talk about it may become even worse.
" You see, going anywhere else is not very wise." He told her softly. Umi felt that going back was suicide. She will get slapped again and scolded too. She never felt so homeless before.
Trowa sat down by Umi's side, holding onto the umbrella, to shelter Umi. " Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly. Umi noticed that the rain had finally stopped, after so long. Trowa closed the umbrella, as the glow of the lamps brightens, he could see better. The lake was calm and dark. " Heero said that he slapped you, is it true?" Trowa asked Umi. Umi shifted, stretching her legs out, she then hugged her legs close to her chest. " I found a box, it consisted of a locket and a key. There was a note. It appeared that Heero had an lover, named Serenity." Umi told him. Umi watched as Trowa's eyes widened in shock.
" You found it?" He asked, Umi nodded. " That can't be, Heero did what he had to t clear all evidence and he even silenced us." Trowa told her. Umi shrugged. " Tell me Trowa, what happened? He wasn't happy when I showed the box. Why did he silence you all?" Umi asked, obvious curious. Trowa sighed. " I will tell you, in one condition, go back with me. Or at least go to Kitty's house. We will talk then." Trowa told Umi. Umi nodded. Trowa helped her into his car and drove towards Kitty's house.
" How come you know where she lives?" Umi asked silently. Trowa cut the engine off. " Well, we… er… are just friends." Trowa told Umi. Umi knew what was going on. Even thought she lost contact with Kitty, looks like Kitty has found a man for herself. Kitty opened the door and let Umi in. Trowa stayed in the living room as Kitty assigned Umi a room. She lent Umi her clothes. Umi took a long hot bath. Kitty went to find Trowa.
Trowa was talking on the phone. Sitting on the sofa, his legs crossed. Kitty just watched him silently.
" Yar, she's at Kitty's house. She's fine…" He said into the phone. " No, I think she needs to know." Trowa said softly. " Trowa, I believe it is not related to her at all." Heero told Trowa. Trowa looked around to see Kitty coming down the stairs. " I will explain it to her then." Trowa said softly. " Trowa, I do not wish anyone to know about my past." Heero told Trowa. Trowa looked at the worried Kitty. " I will see what I can do. But I will tell her if there is no choice." Trowa told Heero and hung up. Kitty sat down beside him.
" What happened to her?" Kitty asked. Trowa sighed and held onto Kitty's hand. " Heero slapped her." Trowa told Kitty silently. Kitty looked at Trowa sharply. " It must have hit her badly." Kitty told Trowa. Trowa nodded, he turned to make sure that Umi wasn't around. " It is regarding about Heero's past. Umi found out about it and Heero just got angry." Trowa told her. He pulled her closer to him. They stared deep into each other's eyes. Kitty placed her hand on his face. " You are wet." She whispered. Trowa nodded but still watched her. " I will go and get a towel." Kitty told him. She stood up to leave. Trowa grabbed her hand and pulled her back down to him.
" It's okay. I am fine with it." He whispered to her. He kissed her on her lips. Kitty closed her eyes and her arms shifted to behind his neck, to deepen the kiss. Umi was walking and she saw that scene. Umi stood there and looked at her necklace. He mother gave it to her. Telling her that it would bring her luck, especially on love. Like it worked. Well, she sort of helped Kitty anyway. She walked down the stairs softly. The two were still kissing fiercely. She cleared her throat. They stopped and broke the kiss. Kitty looked at Umi then to Trowa. She blushed and stood up. " I will go get a towel." Kitty told them. She left, looking down. Umi watched her leave. Trowa cleared his throat and sat up straight.
" I am not stupid Trowa. I won't stop the two of you. But if you hurt her, I will kill you." Umi told Trowa. Trowa just kept silent. Umi sat down opposite him. " I called Heero. He says that he's happy to know that you are fine." Trowa told Umi softly. Umi looked at the window.
" I think you deserve to know. You see, Serenity was someone Heero met on a case. She was the victim's sister. So they just worked together on that case. It was a big one and they spent about 1 month together. So, they fell in love with each other." Trowa told her. Umi had her attention on him.
" You see, they were together for like almost 3 months. Many things took place then. Serenity was often a bait used against Heero. He felt responsible for it. He considered quitting, as he loved her so much. And she in turn loved him. We disagreed, we forced him to stay. We can't let him go. He did stay… Until, the most tragic incident took place." Trowa lowered his voice. He stopped as Kitty came back to hand him a towel. She then excused herself to make tea for them.
" So?" Umi asked, part of her just didn't want to hear the rest. " She was used as a bait again. It was the last straw. Heero said that after that case, he would quit to be with her. However, when trying to save her, she was knocked over by a car. Heero killed the driver or rather the kidnappers with 5 shots each. We thought she had died. Heero was very upset. She didn't die but was in the state of coma. That gift, was for her when she was still in coma." Trowa told Umi. Umi nodded.
" He finally lost it. So depressed everyday, he started drinking every day. I had never seen him like that before. He was just someone that was so serious and never lost him mind. His resistance was a lot higher than normal guys. Then, Serenity woke up. He was finally happy." Trowa told Umi.
" So they ended up together?" Umi asked. Trowa shook his head. " No, she had a tumor in her brain. And to get it out, she will lose all her memories. But she will be able to live forever. If not, she will die in 2 months. Heero let her do the operation to remove it. That was the last time they did kiss. When she came out, she didn't remember anything. The chances of getting them back are 0. Heero left, hoping that she would love someone else in life. He left with the gift he gave to her." Trowa told her. Umi felt depressed. She would have done the same. But, it was tough to face the fact that he or she will forever be gone.
" Heero quit being a Preventer. He will just keep staying in his house and not doing anything. We tried to coax him back, he wouldn't. I hit him once. He didn't fight me back. I left in a fury. I couldn't see him like that anymore. Then, one day her came back, like normal again. He left her in a place in his heart. But we are not to talk about her again. I asked why he came back. He told me that he met a girl and she told him to go back." Trowa told Umi. Umi frowned, why would the girl's words bring him back to work?
Umi slept in a room. Kitty's room was 3 levels above her. Umi knew what Kitty and Trowa were doing up there. Having sex, it was obvious. Even through the distance, she could still hear them moaning during the night. She covered her ears, thinking. She was wrong to invade his privacy. But, she just cared for him. Not like loving someone was wrong.
The next day, Wednesday Morning,
Heero was at the garden, looking at a book. He heard footsteps from behind. It stopped right before him. He saw white high heels. Closing the book, he sat up straight to look up at Umi. Umi felt a bit hard to face him. But she had to. She was still uncertain about something. Wind blew past as they stared at each other. Heero just looked ahead. Taking it as a hint, Umi sat down on the bench beside him. But not too close. The space between them was enough for one more person to sit.
" Trowa told you?" Heero asked her softly, looking at the garden. Umi nodded. " He did, he told me a little about her. And… it just made me wonder, why didn't you choose to stay by her side?" Umi asked him, looking at him. Heero turned to look at her. " Because it will only hurt more. I will know that she will not remember me and feel hurt every time she asks me who I was." Heero told her softly. Biting her lower lip, she forced herself to apologize. " I am sorry Heero. I knew that it was wrong. I shouldn't be invading your privacy." Umi told him. Heero looked up at the sky. " It's okay, I am sorry for slapping you. I just lost it for a while." Heero told her.
" Trowa told me that you met a girl and she told you to come back and you did. What was about her that made you come back?" Umi asked Heero. Heero looked at Umi and sighed.
" Two years ago, it was 2 months after I quit being a Preventer. I flew to Japan, hoping to find something I can do. But as I walk down the streets, I realize that I couldn't forget her. It was hard to let go. So I went to a park and sat down on a bench that was facing the lake. There was a waterfall on the lake faraway. It was just so quiet and peaceful, then I enjoyed being there." Heero told Umi. Umi tried to picture Heero sitting on a bench, looking out at the lake.
" Then, this girl came along." Heero told her. As wind blew, the two of them were sitting on a same bench.
Flashback,
Heero looked up when a girl sat down beside him. She had long golden blonde hair that was shining and smooth-looking. They were straight and a bit wavy at the ends. She was fair and gorgeous and sexy. Heero mentally slapped himself. He forgot about Serenity just by looking at her. She had the most shining pair of blue eyes. Everything about her was just so perfect. She was wearing this sleeveless white dress. It ended at her knee and there was a strip that was around her neck, it was connected to her dress. She was wearing white boots, there were 3 inches high and it ended about 10 cm above her ankle. She had her hair tied up into a half-tie. As the wind blew, it made her even more gorgeous and perfect. She was something more than a perfect angel. So perfect, angelic, innocent, beautiful and gorgeous.
She kept looking behind her. " Is someone after you?" Heero asked her softly. She looked at him, surprised. " Sort of. I just don't want to get caught sneaking out of my house." She told him softly. " Your house sounds like a jail." Heero commented, looking ahead. " It does, doesn't it?" she asked him softly. She looked at Heero and studied him for a while. " Why are you here?" she asked Heero. Heero didn't see why he should lie. It is hard to talk to someone who knows you, because they will scold you or something.
" I had a lover. We loved each other deeply." He told her. She looks around them. " Oh, I am sorry. Are you waiting for her?" She asked. Heero shook his head, signaling no. " I don't see why that is so bad." She told him honestly. Heero just smirked, he couldn't help it He hadn't smirk or smile in a very long time. Funny how she made him smirk.
" You see, I am a Preventer." He told him, she saw her eyes widen in shock. " Wow. That's cool. I thought that they are busy people." She told him. " They are, but I quit." He told her softly. She bit her lower lip. " Being a Preventer, many people used my lover against me. I have to keep saving her. And I just can't protect her well enough. I blame myself. And I decided to quit, to forever be by her side." Heero told her. The girl nodded, showing that she understood. " I understand. Some people give up their jobs just to be with the ones they love." She told him. Heero stood up and walked towards the fence. He looked ahead at the lake.
" My friends advised me to stay. I did, but things got worse. She was used as a bait again. But, this time, she got knocked over by the kidnappers' car. I killed them all, 5 shots each." Heero told her, he noticed that she seems shocked. " Anyway, she was in a coma for few months. I broke down and didn't know what to do in life." Heero explained. " Is that why you are here? Your lover's in a coma?" She asked him. Heero shook his head. " No, things just got worse. She woke up. I thought that the rainy days were over, but it only grew darker. She had a tumor in her brain. Is she doesn't remove it, she will die in 2 months. If she does, the chances of losing her memory are 100. There is no way of getting them back." Heero told that girl. She just listened to Heero's love life.
" I made her go to the operation. Knowing what was at stake. But I love her. I don't want her to die in just 2 months. So she came out. And the first thing she said to me when she woke up was… Who are u? I was so crushed and upset. She didn't remember anything. I left, and quit being a Preventer. I can't forget her, nor can I go back and act like nothing had happened. I am trying to sort my thoughts out now." Heero said sadly. The girl stood up and walked over to where he was standing.
" I would have done the same if the one having to go through the operation was someone I love. I will be so crushed when he says who are you to me. Staying by her side will only bring back memories and will only hurt more. So you left, you did a good thing. We are humans, we can't forget someone we love greatly in just a few days." She told him. Wind blew past, making her hair fly and float in the air. " What do you plan to do now?" She asked him softly. Heero closed his eyes and opened them after 5 seconds. " I am not sure. Tell me, what should I do?" He asked her, looking at her. She walked up closer, Heero blinked, thinking that she was going to kiss him. But she slapped him on the face. Heero touched his face with the back of his palm. He was shocked.
" Forgive me, but, your lover is already gone. She can no longer be the same anymore. So there's no point trying to wait for her. You have to forget her. Even though you can't, keep her somewhere in your heart. Somewhere deep, so that you will forget her soon. Even though she doesn't remember you, you still have the memories of the two of you being together. It is enough for you to know that love existed between the two of you and it is already the past. So move on." She told him. Heero watched her, and let his hand drop to his side. " Go back to being a Preventer. There are still many people out there who need your help, to make this world safe. And to ensure that no one, will have to go through what you have, to lose a loved one." She told him. What she said was true and meaningful. The slap did wake him up.
There are still many people out there who need his help. So that not one will got through losing their loved ones, like he did. " Miss!" Someone shouted. Heero turned to see a bunch of bodyguards running towards them. The girl stepped back from him.
" Miss, don't run away like that. Your parents are worried sick." One told her. The girl just smiled. " Sorry, I just wanted some time alone." She told them. " Who is this man?" Another one asked, pointing to Heero. " He is just someone who needs help." The girl told them and smiled at Heero.
" Miss, return with us." One told her. The girl nodded and turned to leave. As she walked, she stopped and looked back at Heero. " Hope you go back to work soon. And get her out of your life." The girl told Heero. She smiled and waved, before leaving. Heero watched her get into a limo and the limo drove out of view. Why was she acting to he happy when she was forever trapped in that jail? Heero looked at his watch, watching the seconds go by. He decided to go back and start life again. He never knew her name… He wondered who she was.
End of flashback,
Heero found out that he was sitting on his chair, in his room. Looks like he had already finished talking to Umi. Then, as he thought about Umi, a picture of the girl flashed past his mind. The girl looked familiar, thinking back down. Wait… She looked exactly like Umi! He had met Umi then! He had forgotten about it when he met Umi this year. Damn, why was he so careless?
Umi opened the door to her balcony. She went to the railing, resting her hands on it, she breathe in the fresh air. Wind was blowing by, causing her dress to fly along with her hair. She used her finger to push her hair behind her right ear. Thinking about what Heero said, she suddenly remembered that what he told her felt familiar. Like she had been thee before… It then came to her, one of her memories, she remembered talking a man. He was talking about his lover. And his lover seems to have been through the same thing, like what Heero had gone through. Wait, that means…She met him before? Umi couldn't remember who it was, she couldn't remember the face. She remembered that he told her that he was a Preventer… Umi did meet Heero before…
The next day, Thursday Afternoon,
Trowa was waiting by the phone for Kitty to turn up. He checked his watch, she's late by 5 minutes. " Hey, Trowa!" Someone shouted, Trowa turned to see Kitty running towards him. She hid behind him, panting madly. " What's wrong?" Trowa whispered. Kitty looked around them. " I met my childhood classmate. We don't really like each other then, she saw me and asked me if I am engaged or anything." Kitty told him. Trowa saw a girl looking around, like she was looking for someone. " She got married to a very rich man, I don't want to look bad in front of her." Kitty whispered to Trowa. Trowa smiled and took her hand. She blinked and stared at him. " I don't care. I won't make you look bad." He told her and dragged her to the town center. Kitty just followed him blindly. They sent the day just window-shopping. And they had ice cream by the lake. It was fun, being together.
Lady Une called Umi, Duo and Heero to a meeting in her office. They came in and sat down.
" I am aware that Umi is also living with you, Heero." Lady Une told them. Umi and Heero turned to look at Duo who sat lower in his chair. " Not that I am against it, but just a reminder, don't let feelings get into your work." Lady Une warned them. " Now Umi, I want to speak to you personally." Lady Une told them. The guys left, Umi watched as Lady Une opened up a file.
" I understand that the death of Stephanie had impact on your life. I hope that it will not stop you from taking bigger and harder missions. And I have one here for you." Lady Une told her. Umi opened the file and briefly read through.
" I want you to work alone. I want to see your potential on this. I hope that Heero will not be dragged down on this. I will see you in 2 weeks time then." Lady Une told her. Umi nodded and left the room.
To be continued…
Umi's second mission, on her own. Solo Work, will she be able to complete it? Will Heero turn up again?