Title: Learn from the past and live for the future
Pairings: 1x2
Chapter 11
.- .- .-
"Thud", was the sound that woke Heero from the dream state. Without opening his eyes, he knew exactly who it was that woke him up, again. "Shiny," he murmured sleepily "Go away you stubborn animal. Duo is still not here. Go away and let me sleep some more," his voice was deep and tired.
It was the fifth day of Duo being gone and a fifth day of Shiny waking Heero up and terrorizing him. The first day it happened Heero thought he was dreaming. Who the hell would expect a horse pushing his head into the room just to take a look if his master returned home. Well, he supposed, who else if not Duo's horse?
At that time Heero just ignored him thinking, hoping the horse would just get bored and move on; go do whatever horses do when they not sleeping. Of course, hope soon died down when fifteen minutes later Shiny still had not moved and his black eyes still bore into Heero's sleepless form. The stalemate between Heero and Shiny lasted for a while as Heero tried to ignore Shiny in hope to sleep until he realized Shiny would not move. At the end, Heero was the one who stood up and showed the stubborn horse that he won.
And so, today Heero dutifully stood up, dressed himself, made the bed. Not once did he tried to go to the window and pet the horse. Why? Because Shiny did not trust him and so he did not let him get near him. If Duo was here, he would distract Shiny while letting Heero pet him, but he was not and so Heero was a not a trustworthy guy in the horse eyes.
Okay, Heero did exaggerate a bit. Shiny did allow one specific movement, Heero could stretch his hand and scratch Shiny on his nose. "As you can see, I am up. Give me a few minutes to check on Solo. I will be out in a few minutes," while saying that he turned around and move out.
First stop he made was his son's new room. Yes, a new room! The whole ambience of the room glowed with warm colors and the new furniture gave the whole room the feel of a welcoming energy. Bobby Marrow the painter Duo contacted to paint Solo room made more then fantastic job and Heero said it to him more than once. He, on his own could never make such an ideal room for his son in his old home. If he would have to recount the room with only a few words he would use words like sonny, happy, warm.
He found his son sleeping in his big new fluffy bed as Solo described it the first time he went to sleep in it. It was also the first night Solo actually slept without waking up and looking for his father. The bed on its own was very large and had drawers on all sides. Some of the drawers were used for blankets and sheets, some for bedspread and pillowcases and some for Solos own toys.
What was also new to the room was the little puppy name Bubbles, who was lying in a small white box placed on a stool on the ride side of the bad. The town veterinarian Evan Melcom called Heero two days ago, to inform him that he had done all he could for the puppy for the time being. He also told Heero that they could have the puppy at home anytime.
At that time Heero, wishing to surprise Solo with the puppy and the doctor visit, did not tell his son anything. When the doctor's car pulled up outside the property and parked the car by the house both dogs, Shiny, and Solo just looked toward him while playing with the big ball.
Because, he could predict how Solo would react to the news and not wanting to make too big emotional mess out of his son before the doctor, Heero walked to him, pulled him up onto his lap, whispering quietly, "Doctor Evan called me earlier to inform me that Bubbles could come home."
Solo's eyes got big and he whispered back, "Really? Is he here?"
Heero nodded, also saying, "Aha, probably inside the car."
Heero could feel and see how his son struggled to just jump down from him and run to the car to see it for himself if that was so, but he also knew that he had to calm down before Heero would let him down.
"Is he alright now?" Solo asked quietly.
Heero did not want to lie to his son so he answered truthfully, "Probably not, but what I do know is that your puppy is doing okay, and that he needs a lot of love and place to rest peacefully while getting better. That can easily be at home."
Solo looked toward the car and the doctor who at that moment stepped out of it while reaching for a small box inside it.
"Is it okay if, I go and see the puppy now?" Solo asked quietly.
"Your puppy needs you to be calm and he need you to give him a lot of love and security. Can you do that?" Silently Solo nodded and Heero put his son down and together they went to meet and see Bubbles.
And see they did, or rather everyone saw and met Bubbles that day, even the dogs and Shiny. Both dogs sniffed the puppy, licking him where ever they could. Meanwhile Shiny just sniffed the puppy somehow knowing he was injured.
Two days later the small puppy felt a little more alive to Heero, more aware of his surroundings. So when Heero came into Solos room to check on him, Bubbles head popped out of the small box, looking at who came into the room.
"It's just me, little guy. You can sleep some more. " Heero murmured quietly and the puppy did as told. While talking, he made sure Solo was still covered and safe. Before he left the house he let inside Buch, one of Duo dogs, who obediently moved toward Solos room where he would stay as long as his son was sleeping.
-.-.-.-
The walk toward the barn was quick and Heero already thought about the chores he would need to do before both he and Tom could say, the work is done.
As always, he met Tom, already busy cleaning the first stall while the horse stood obediently out of his way.
When he entered the barn Toms head came up and Heero got a welcoming smile, "Good morning Heero."
"Morning," he replied and then went into the opposite stall of Tom, to start his own side of the stalls which they divided the first day Heero started helping out. "Have you been up for a long time?" he absently asked Tom while moving the horse of his stall out to start the cleaning process.
"No, not really." While talking, he quickly looked at his wristwatch and then continued, "I came maybe 15 minutes before you," Tom replied.
"I see," Heero added.
"Was the waking call the same as always," Tom asked with a joking voice.
Knowing exactly to what he was referring to, Heero looked up from his work, "Did you in any way send that horse my way?"
"No, the stall was already empty when I got here."
"That horse is creepy as Hell," murmured Heero "he is just standing there looking toward me without moving a muscle. Even if I try to ignore him it doesn't work. Then there are his black eyes, with every minute, my mind is making them bigger and bigger and in the end all I see are two black holes judging me for sleeping. I don't understand how Duo doesn't mind his behavior," added Heero then continued with a conversation, "Was he always like that?"
"If you are talking about being too energetic, too curious, too self-centered. Then the answer is yes." Tom replied with a smile. "The funniest time for us was the time when he was growing up."
"How so?" wondered Heero.
"He came to us as a baby." Explained Tom, but before he could continue Heero give him another question.
"Is that a typical for young horses?"
"No, it's not. Sometimes mother nature screws with the animals. There are times when female animals don't want to be pregnant or are against it. I really don't understand it myself. What I know, is that Shiny's mother, after giving birth to him, just pushed him away and pretended that he didn't exist. The time after birth it's very critical time for a young foal, they are in need to get as much comfort and care as possible. The horse owner, not having the time for him, phoned our doctor Evan, who in turn called us."
"Did the owner, know the doctor would give the horse to Duo?" Heero asked.
"Probably not and probably did not care what happened to him. As a person, to be able to sell and young foal to the veterinarian, just because you did not want to deal with incoming problem, is not a good person in my eyes."
"Yes, I Agree," said Heero.
"When Shiny came to us, he tried to look for comfort where ever he could get it. The problem at that time was that he was too young and too scared of us. So, he avoided us like the plague. At that time the dog helped out."
"You are talking about Baba and Buch mother?" Heero asked.
"Yes, the crazy, crazy Bitch." Tom confirmed.
"How come you guys never gave her a name?" asked Heero, brushing the horse who was peacefully eating his newly prepared breakfast.
"She was too far gone to make herself trusting us, and so did not listen to any name we tried giving her. Of course Duo let her be, never tried forcing her out of the barn and even brought her the food."
While giving explanation to Heero, Tom came out of his stall looked toward the end of the barn and pointed toward the stall which was not occupied with any animal. "You see that stall," Tom continued, "that was her domain. She would growl at anyone who passed by. At time's I was scared of her and so avoided the barn and the work in it. Joe or Duo could tell you more about it."
While giving Heero an explanation about the female dog, Tom shook his head like he didn't want to think about it. "If she wasn't full of pups, I would never take her in as Duo had." After showing Heero the stall, Tom moved back into his previous stall and continued with his work.
When the time came for both of them to move to the next stall and to next horse waiting for grooming and cleaning Heero continued with the conversation. "Duo has a very big heart."
"Yes, he does," nodded Tom, "I actually don't know what happened, but at one point that crazy bitch bit him and Duo did not blink an eye. If it was me, that would be the point of no return. I would for sure call the doctor back to the farm and ask him to take her with him to put her down. But no, Duo just went to the hospital, got his arm fixed and acted like nothing ordinary happened."
"Wow," commented Heero looking toward Tom, listening to every word the man said about his friend.
"From that point on she never growled at Duo anymore, regardless if he was working or just being in the barn. It was like she was ignoring him and he was ignoring her. They had some kind of understanding, if you ask me."
"Did she ever let anyone pet her?" Heero asked again.
"No," came a short replay. "Not before or after the birth or the pups. Even then they were not allowed to get anywhere near us. She was very adamant about it. Only when the pups were older and wouldn't listen to her anymore did she stop demanding it of them and us to be apart."
"That is a sad story," remarked Heero.
"Yes, it is. But she's in a better place now."
"That is what a lot of people believe in, a good or bad, a hell or heaven." Added Heero, but did not continue with his thought so Tom let it go.
"Was Duo, always like that?" Tom asked, looking toward Heero while waiting for the answer. He saw a small private smile filter across Heero's face as he worked.
"Yes and No," Heero responded, "Yes, because he was raised in a church where he had a good but short example of what it was to be a good human being. And at the same time no, because his childhood years before the church were not good. He was one of many street children where you survived only if you could find some food in the garbage or could learn to steal to survive. So, Duo had to quickly learn the right way to survive. To trust someone was for him the hardest part."
"How long did it take you to get his trust," Tom wondered.
"If I am honest, I really don't know. Also, it was during wartime that we met for the first time. At that time, my first priority was my own mission and nothing else was of interest for me. Not other pilots, not working together and not friendship. At that time it was only Duo who actually reached out to me, pulled me out of myself, showed me what it meant to have a friend. But that did not mean that he trusted me," commented Heero. "In terms of trusting, I am pretty sure it was Quatre, who was the first pilot Duo trusted."
"Why him? Was he the first pilot who met him?" asked Tom.
"No, it was actually me who met him first. Quatre was the first pilot who actually wanted to work together, to help each other on missions and to be able to depend on each other as a team. Both had similar thoughts."
"Oh, I can see that," added Tom "Whenever he and his partner are on a farm, he is radiating with warmth and a wish to help. That is one of the reasons I never would guess that he was one of the Gundam pilots. I just cannot see him as such."
Again, Heero just made internal but almost visible smile, "Compared to other Gundam pilots, Quatre was more deadly than any of us. He was a very good strategist and he could come up with a plan nobody thought of. That is one of many reasons he was the one pilot we all listened to."
"Even if you are telling me that, I still can't see it," replied Tom.
"I know what you mean, nobody really does see him as he truly is. Don't let his smile and his personality blind you, as it did everyone else in time of the war and even today."
The comment made Tom look toward Heero "Duo once compared him to a bunny who can transfer himself into a lion and eat you up like a mouse."
And so the talk moved on and on, from one topic to another, both sharing past memories with each other, at times Tom more than Heero. To Heero it was a good way of getting to know Tom as a person.
When the work was done, both went their separate ways, both wishing to take a shower and put some clean clothes on. Afterwards, Tom would come to the main house and together with Heero, they would prepare breakfast and make a plan for the whole day.
When Heero was alone, he looked into the barn for the last time making sure everything was as it should then he started to walk back toward the house. To his surprise Shiny and even Baba followed him, both flanking him on each side. If Duo was here he would probably just tell him that they were starting to like him or would laugh at him while saying that they were probably just bored.
While walking toward the house his six senses were screaming at him that something was wrong, and that someone was watching. Why or for what reason he did not know. He stopped walking and started to look all around.
His look moved from one side to another, from one border to another. When he turned toward the border where the woods met, he knew he found the right side. While watching he also noticed that both Baba and Shiny also stopped and were looking toward the border with both their ears moving all around them. To Heero's surprise Baba even started growling quietly while Shiny looked towards the woods, not blinking or moving in any way. To Heero it looked like Shiny was taunting anyone to come on his land. While all three watched, he saw a faint glimpse of a small light, like the reflection of the incoming drown on the horizon and the glass.
"There's someone out there, isn't there?" he asked aloud and Shiny, to Heero's surprise, nodded with his head still looking toward the borders of the wood. "Whoever it is, cannot to be trusted, so both of you, avoid that part of border for now." While saying that to both animals and at the same time feeling stupid for it, he turned back toward the house and start walking again. While looking calm as if nothing much had happened, his mind was working overtime, making plans to call Quatre, Wufei and even Duo. He had to make sure those woods were safe and that nobody was lurking out there, watching them. He also had to make sure Solo was safe.
-.-.-.-
In the dark woods few miles away a man camouflaged in dark green and black clothes set up on a tree his binoculars on his head while looking toward the main house and everything that was moving. His mission was to watch what was happening on the land, report it and make sure that his targets were still where they should be. While doing that he felt a chill moving down his spine and the reason was right before him.
"Sam, over. Do you hear me, over?" the man waited for the other side to respond.
"Mike, over. I hear you loud and clear. Is everything okay?" the speaker on the other side said.
"So far it's good, all is quiet and there is no problem. However, are you sure the target is not aware of us?" the man asked.
"Yes, I am sure. He should not be aware of our surveillance in any way. Why are you asking, over?"
"If so, you won't believe what just happened, over," the man again waited for his team mate to respond.
For a few seconds the other side was quite then the voice replied. "Okay, I will bite, what happened, over?"
"The morning walk was as usual. He went inside the barn, was there approximately for two hours, then both came out, talked for a short time, separated soon after and moved toward the Houses. Nothing out of ordinary, as usual."
Again there was silence on the other side, then with an annoying tone the man on the other side responded, "And…. Do I have to guess what happened onward or why did you stop talking."
"Sam, the target just stopped walking, turned toward the border of the woods directly my way. Can you imagine it? My feelings are screaming that he is looking directly at me." The voice of the speaker was a little bit shaky and he sounded worried.
"Mike, that is not possible. He could not know he was being watched. Maybe he heard some animal, stopped to see if he saw anything. Just think rationally, you are out there all by yourself, it seems it's a little bit too much. Now, calm the fuck down and stop exaggerating. I will talk to the boss and make a request to switch you with Tony or Mark, over."
"And what about that stupid horse and one of those black dogs? They were following him and when he stopped and looked my way they did the same. Even that horse was creepy, looking like he was a statue."
"OKAY, calm the fuck down and tell me, are they still watching you?"
Mike again looked toward the main house and the walkway the target took every day and saw nothing. The target was gone and both animals were out of his viewpoint.
"No, it's all quiet again." He knew that he sounded and felt like he was getting crazy out here, still he couldn't shake the feeling that the target saw him. "Sam, please ask the boss if he knows who exactly we are targeting."
"Will do, over and out." The signal was lost and once again the man looked toward the land he was watching.
"Damn it," the man still felt queasy "I hate those kind of jobs".
-.-.-.-
Inside the house, Heero was moving around his and Duo's new office room telephone in hand. All Duos staff, equipment, furniture and other personal trinkets were brought into the new room the first day of Duo and Joe being gone. It was something Heero was comfortable doing, so that was what he done first. The same day he also went into the town, left Solo in Tom's hands and went to buy himself a working desk, a chair, a lamp, a laptop, useful cabinet and other small items. As agreed Heero also bought a conference table just the right size for their office. All in all it was a good room.
But all that was irrelevant for at that specific moment, the only thing in Heero 's mind was the stranger in the woods and the question of why anyone would watch them or rather who employed them to do so.
The only person, he could think of or could have her hand in it, would be Relena. For what reason and why was a mystery. Maybe, she couldn't take the divorce as it was, or wanted to know what he and Solo were doing at Duos place. However it was, his first priority for now would be, to talk with his fellow pilots, tell them about his suspicions and decide what to do to get some answers.
"Come on Quatro, Trowa, pick up," while waiting for the signal to reach the caller he moved out of the office room to check on Solo who was sitting on a sofa in the living room watching the morning cartoons, slowly petting Bubbles who lay next to him. When Solo saw him, he waved then continued with cartoon watching.
As soon as he heard the signal being taken up he moved back into the office "Yes, Heero. How are you?" Trowa's flat voice resonated out of the speaker. "Wait a moment please, I have to put you on the speakers otherwise Quatro won't stop sending me the eye of death."
The voice of his friend calmed Heero a little bit.
"What is wrong, Heero?" Quatre's troubled voice came out as soon as the speakers were turned on.
"Why would something be wrong?" responded Heero.
"Because I feel your distress. So something happened. Tell us now," it wasn't a request, it was an order.
"Someone is out there?" came out.
"Out where?" asked Trowa.
"In the woods," replied Heero.
"Are you sure?" asked Quatre.
"Of course I am sure," answered Heero.
"What side?" came a new question from Trowa.
"From the front yard left side, up in the woods." The answer was again short and to the point. It also told both listeners that Heero was not calm when dealing with the fact.
"How can we help for now?" asked Quatre.
"I really don't know. What is the right way to proceed?" responded Heero, "We all know the fact that if I go into the woods to find that idiot, I will just kill him and that won't help us in any way."
"Indeed," came a short response from Trowa.
"That doesn't change the fact that someone is fucking spying on us. I don't know if Solo is safe. That also brings danger to the farm and the people on it." That was the main reason for Heero's distress.
"I don't think that could be going on for a long time," prompted Trowa.
"Yes, I know," responded Heero, "it probably started after Duo left with Joe. We all know nobody could spy on Duo for long and stay in one piece."
"Who do you think it is?" asked Trowa.
"It has to be Relena," responded Quatre without waiting for Heero's answer.
"I doubt it's Relena who is in the woods, love," mumbled Trowa.
"Oh, hush you," responded Quatro.
Heero wasn't in a mood for joking around so he just continued. "Yes, I thought so too, but why? I am sending her new pictures almost every day, so she knows Solo is doing good. There isn't much more that I'm willing to do, not after what she did."
"Yes, but she is still his mother," said Quatre.
"Maybe she wants to come for a visit," added Trowa.
"Do you guys want her here? Because I for one sure don't want her here."
"Definitely not," came out of Quatre and a simple "No," out of Trowa.
"She is a mother who was willing to give Solo to some unknown doctor without my permission or knowledge," prompted Heero again.
"We need to know more," responded Trowa.
"We also need to know who exactly is out there, and also if he or she is a lone wolf or in a group." Continued Quatre.
"Damn it to Hell," Heero growled quietly in frustration.
"Try to calm down, Heero," said Quatre then continued "the best you can do right now is to keep your eyes and ears open." Quatre said calmly.
"That is easier said than done," grumbled Heero.
"I will call Wufei, to see if he can get a better look of who is moving around those roads and the nearest town. Maybe whoever it is, is too confident and stand's out," prompted Trowa.
When Trowa stopped speaking Heero heard him going away from the speaker probably to another phone. At the same time, Quatre picked up the phone and ended the speaker mode. "Heero, you have to stay calm. I know just the thought of someone lurking outside in the woods make you angry, but you need to calm down. If not for you, do it for Solo".
"Yes, you are right," murmured Heero, "I have to keep calm."
"Good, now tell me, do you guys have any plans for today?"
Both were aware that the intention of the question was to bring Heero out of his worry state and into the state of normal thinking.
"Yes, we do," responded Heero then continued "Bubbles, needs to go to the doctor to get his checked up. I was told from doctor Evan that he will have to check how his bones are healing. If they are healed enough, he could remove the cast on his legs."
"How did the dogs and Shiny take the new puppy," asked Queatro.
"They are always sniffing him, and licking him so I think it will be okay," answered Heero absently. "Oh, and Tom said that, we also need a few items from the supermarket and hardware store. So, I thought we could do that in one run. First we visit the doctor and leave the puppy with him, so he can do the checking in peace. Meanwhile, we three go to the mall and visit the stores there."
"That is a fine plan for today," Quatro responded "I'm even sad we will miss it."
"What are you talking about?" asked Heero in wonder then continued, "Is it possible, you two are on the way?"
"Yes, that is the reason why you had to wait so long for us to receive your call."
"Oh, thank the Gods. Where specifically are you two now?" just the thought of Quatre and Trowa coming to the farm gave Heero the peace he needed right now.
"In the Earth orbit, waiting to be let in," explained Quatre.
"So, tomorrow," Heero did not need to continue with the question because he knew Quatre would know what he meant.
"Yes, early in the morning if all goes as planned," confirmed Quatre.
"Good, now all we need is for Duo to get home and Wufei to visit and we will be together again." Responded Heero happily.
"Wow, the converting of Heero already started and it's only one month of living with Duo."
"What are you talking about," asked Heero.
"You are asking for something Duo wanted for very long time." Explained Quatre.
"And he never called me or told me so," continued Heero sadly.
"You know he always thinks of others first. What is done is done. Let's leave the past in the past." For a few minutes Quatro was gone, then he came back "Heero we will need to end the call, Trowa is telling me that we will lose the signal in a few minutes. Do you need something from us on the way to the farm?" Asked Quatro.
"Yes, I do. Get me few good eyes. We need to make the place safe, again."
"I will talk with Trowa and Wufei and see what we come up with," agreed Quatro "You just try to have a good day. We will see us soon."
So, after saying a good bye on both sides the line was gone and Heero was left alone with his own thoughts, but now a bit more at peace than before. While sitting on his chair thinking, his eyes wandered to the door of his office where he saw Solo with Bubbles safely in his hands watching him.
"Solo, is everything okay?" Heero asked his son.
"Uncle Tom said breakfast was ready," Solo explained then continued "are you okay, daddy?"
"Not really, small bug. Daddy saw something in the woods and it is worrying me." The explanation was a short one, but Heero knew it was better to say something than to lie to Solo. "Did Uncle Tom tell you what he is making for breakfast," asked Heero while standing up.
"He is making pancakes," Solo answered, then continued with his own question. "Can I have chocolate on my pancakes?"
"Sure, you can, but only one. Each pancake has to have different ingredients, okay?"
"How come," asking Solo with the curiosity only a child could have.
"If you eat too much chocolate or sweets, you will have to much energy in your body and won't know what to do with yourself."
"Oh," was all what Solo said.
"I see your friend Bubbles is doing okay this morning?" commented Heero.
In response Solo looked down to Bubbles who at that moment, looked up toward Solo, "he is thirsty and his legs are itching, but he slept well." After giving an explanation to Heero, Solo moved his face down to the small head and gave him a quick kiss on the top of it.
The whole episode made Heero very emotional so he picked Solo up and gave him a quick kiss on the top of his head as well. "You know I love you, right?"
"I know, daddy." Solo answered quietly while putting his head on his shoulder, letting Heero carry him and Bubbles toward the kitchen.
"And you know, I will never let anyone hurt you, right?" continued Heero.
"Aha," came a short reply again.
-.-.-.-
"Sam, over," without getting a response from the other side, he continued "get everyone ready. I am seeing a lot of action on the other side." After saying that the man camouflaged in dark green and black clothes waited for the other side to respond.
"Mike, over. What specifically are they doing?" the speaker asked.
"By the look of it, they are preparing to drive to the city," came the reply.
"How, do you know? Maybe they are just preparing to wash the car."
"OMG, listen to yourself Sam. Are you in the woods or am I?" the man asked with irritating voice "I am telling you, both targets are preparing to leave the property. Also the other guy is with them, too. So let the boss know. Maybe we can use this opportunity."
"Okay, okay, you got me there, I will let the boss know. But, Mike you cannot leave your hiding place."
"I know, I know I will leave everything else to you guys. But let me know as soon as the targets are in our hands. I am fed up with these woods."
"Deal, over and out."
-.-.-.-
"Solo," Heero's head pop out of the driver site calling for his son, "Bubbles needs his doctor check up and we need to get to the store. Get your small butt into the car, we are moving out."
"But daddy, Shiny is sad and scared. He thinks we won't be coming home as Uncle Duo still has not returned." Solo was leaning his whole body on Shiny's front leg hugging him and murmuring to him.
"You have 2 minutes to let Shiny know that Uncle Duo did not abandon him and will come home tomorrow. As for us, we are coming back in a few hours." While feeling ridiculous for letting Solo have his moments with Shiny, he knew he would worry too much about Shiny to have a good time in the mall so all he could do now was to wait patiently.
"Is he for real? You know, about Shiny feeling sad and scared?" Tom asked from the passenger seat.
"Yes, he is. He knows exactly what everyone is feeling, or maybe even thinking. Don't ask me how, I just know it's about emotions, or something. Quatre could tell you more." Heero answered while both of them waited "That is also the reason I left my ex-wife. She couldn't deal with it and had actually hired some unknown doctor to check him out or rather to see if he could make Solo normal again. Of course that was all done behind my back and without my knowledge."
"Can he actually feel everyone, not just animals? Also, can he influence his own thoughts on someone?" Responded Tom quietly.
"Yes and again, yes for both questions. But, don't worry, Solo will never do anything to hurt you or anyone else," Heero responded "When he doesn't understand someone's emotions he removes himself from that person. Quatre is also going to teach him to be able to shield himself from others."
"No, No," Tom responded, pulling both his hands up to show Heero, he did not mean it as it sounded. "I am just speechless, because to have someone who could actually tell you what, for example an animal is really feeling, is like a golden egg for veterinarian or something."
At first Heero didn't comment rather he thought about what Tom said. Afterward, he added his own thought "But not if you are, for example a person who is hiding something or lying. You don't want a person such as Solo to be anywhere near you. Just the knowledge that Solo exist is dangerous if it comes out."
While waving a hand in sigh to have a little faith Tom continued "True, and nobody will ever ask me or even consider me to know something as special. Of course, I promise I never will tell anyone."
Heero believed him "My ex-wife, her name is Relena, was always strange around Solo. At that time I didn't see it as to be something wrong with it. She was a lot of times away because of her political ambitions so when she was at home, she just asked about Solo."
"What did she usually ask, you about," asked Tom with interest.
"Just a small thing like; what we were doing true the day or how he was behaving and such. That was enough for her." Explained Heero.
With a snort Tom added "A true politic figure or maybe a workaholic."
Heero did not respond to Tom comment he just continued with his thought, "What I do find interesting now that I think about it, she actually never went into Solo's room alone. It was always when I was with him. Also, she never just picked him up for fun of it or talked directly with him as a mother would. Okay, sometimes Solo did make it difficult for her. "
"Did Solo maybe avoid her too?" Asked Tom.
"Could be. He would never ask for her. Would never go to her willingly. He would always hide behind me whenever she or any other staff would come into his room."
"The staff? You guys had actually a staff? What did they do?" wanted to know Tom.
"Yes, we did. Also, I don't know for sure, but they cleaned the house, took care of the garden and cook for us." While giving explanation Heero continued with his aloud thinking "Maybe it was all just Solo and the emotions from others. At his age, he probably did not know how to process them. So, he could only hide, scream or ignore everyone."
"Wow, it really was a hard time for Solo and for you. So, what did you do?" asked Tom again.
"My main priority was to make Solo feel comfortable in at least one room, so I demanded for everyone to stay out of it."
"Okay, what about Solo? Did you try to talk to Solo about it? Try to understand how it was from his prospective?" asked Tom.
"Of course I did, but at the same time I couldn't focus on it completely. He trusted me, so he was always open to my thoughts. If I start to question him and his abilities, he would know. As young as he was and still is, he wouldn't understand it and would probably think I don't accept him as he is so, I played ignorance. But I think you are leading to something so please, tell me." responded Heero.
"You told me, he could feel everyone's emotions and see what their intentions where or something like that." Replied Tom
"Yes," confirmed Heero then waited for Tom to continue.
"So, what if Solo knew from an early age that his mother did not accept him as he was. That he could read her emotions when she came into his room. Or rather when she pretended to be someone just to please you or anyone around her. Maybe, he could read her when she was lying and pretending while playing a role."
What Tom suggested sound logical for Heero. If he believed what Tom was suggesting then it would be clear why Relena avoided going into Solo's room or never wanted to do anything with him. She feared what her own son could read about her and maybe tell Heero about it. And maybe that was the main reason why she wanted someone to check him out.
"Thank you for your thoughts. That is one point of view I was ignoring." Responded Heero then continued "You gave me a lot to think about."
"Always," commented Tom.
During the conversation Solo came running to Heero's side of the car saying aloud "I am ready now, daddy."
The talk between both men stopped and Heero got out of the car to get his small bundle into the back seat. "Is Shiny okay now?" he absently asked Solo?
"Yes, daddy. I made them work for the time we are away. They agreed to be on the watch out." Solo responded happily.
"And who are they?" asked Heero absently.
"Baba, Shiny and Buch, daddy," replied Solo.
"Was that your idea?" asked Tom with a smile.
"Aha," added Solo with a smile in return.
"That was nicely done Solo. That way they will be occupied and busy working." Tom continued while Heero started the car. "Tell us more."
"Baba will watch the barn, Butch will watch the house and Shiny will watch the road into the property." Explained Solo.
And so the drive to the city started. While driving both Heero and Tom tried as much as possible to include Solo into the talk. As the talk progressed both saw few topics which they could use to occupied Solo with. One of those topics was his new awesome bedroom. Inside that topic Solo was explaining in detail what he loved, what he adored, what he never would change. Just to listen to Solos talking about his likes, made Heero very content and in such a moment he knew he made the right choice to get to Duo.
The atmosphere changed from happy to intrigue as soon as they came in view of the doctor Evans clinic. The problem was not with them, the problem was before their eyes. Why? Because at that moment doc. Evan Malcom clinic was full of cars. And with every minute a new people arrived. After parking Heero turned to Tom and asked, "Do you know if something happened or if today is any special event we were not told about?" The parkings around the clinic were almost totally full
"Not that I am aware of and I hope not," responded Tom in wonder, "but it's good, we had an arrangement with Evan to come over. That has to count for something." Even if he said that nobody got out of the car, both just looked toward the clinic
"Where is Duo when you need him?" Asked Heero absently "If he was here, we could just send him in to do his magic."
While they were sitting and waiting for nothing at all, or maybe for someone to get out of the car the main door opened and doc. Evan came rushing out making his way directly to their cars. After reaching it, he opened the back door and sat himself near Solo.
"Some of my people came to me and told me that some strange car is parked before the clinic and nobody is coming out. Okay, I will bite. Can you tell me why you two are sitting inside the car scaring my patients? Is there a reason, you are not coming in?" The tone of doc. Evan was not mocking or even hurt it was actually relaxing
Before any of them could answer Solo replied "Pisst, we are playing sitting duck."
"We are?" asked Heero, but was being ignored.
"Oh, I see," added doc. Evan conspiratorially "While they are playing that, can you tell me more about your Bubbles. Is he sleeping good, how is he with eating. Do you think he is hurting?"
"Yesterday, his legs were itching, but he couldn't scratch them so I told him to ignore it." Solo promptly replied.
"Good, what else" continued doc. Evan seriously.
"He likes to drink milk and Uncle Tom gave him puppy food, Bubbles like that a lot."
"Small puppies need a lot of food so they can grow up into strong friends," commented doc. Eva seriously.
"Oh, and he loves my new bedroom. He told me, he likes the smell of it." While talking Solo petted Bubbles very softly on his head.
"If Bubbles legs are itchy, does that mean he isn't hurting anymore?" asked doc. Evan again.
"Aha," nodded Solo.
"What about his sleep," asked the doctor.
Solo thought before answering, he wanted to be exactly right. After a few seconds he spoke, "his first day wasn't good. He had bad dreams so his sleep was bad," while saying that Solo quickly continued, "but yesterday, he slept the whole night."
"That is good to hear. That tells us that with each day he is getting better and better. You gave me a very good report of Bubbles and his state."
The praise brought a smile to Solo's face and Heero was grateful for it. Still the way doc. Evan talked to Solo, like he suspected something about him was nerve wracking. He would have to find the time to talk about it with Duo and then get the doctor alone.
"Right now, I can not get Bubbles his check up or rather not right away. So would it be okay, if you guys gave Bubbles to me and I call when I am done?" The question did not surprise, Heero at all, and he hoped they could do it that way from the start.
"No problem, doc." Replied Heero "we want to visit the Mall anyway."
"Great," said the doctor Evan, "Now, let me take him from you and check him out. As I was saying, if all looks good I will take his casts down on both his legs."
Before the doctor could move out with the box which contained sleeping Bubbles, Solo promptly asked "Doctor Evan, I don't want him to sleep here. When he wakes up and doesn't see me, he won't be happy, and will probably call for me. He was doing that in the morning, so I promised him he will sleep in my room again."
While Solo explained why Bubbles needs to come home with them doc. Evan turned around and brush his short hair, "don't worry Solo, your little friend will definitely go home with you. I will just check him out and the progress of his healing. If all looks good, your next job will be to give Bubbles a lot of exercises so he will start to use his back legs again. Does that sound good?"
"Yes," Solo said and even nodded with his head.
"Good," while stepping out of the car he moved to the front, leaned down so he could look both Tom and Heero in their eyes while saying, "I will phone you guys when he is ready to be picked up."
"Agree," confirmed Heero and that was that. Doc. Evan moved away from the car, waited for Heero to get out of his parking place and then before they drove away he waved in farewell.
"That wasn't as hard as I imagined it," responded Tom.
"And we even did not need to go into the clinic ourselves," added Heero.
-.-.-.-
Heero pulled up by the Mall entrance with the intention to let Tom and Solo out of the car while he went to park it. Although his intentions were good Solo did not seem to agree with his plan.
"Can't I stay with you, daddy?" asked Solo before Tom had even gotten out of the car.
"Why, is something wrong?" asked Heero in astonishment.
"No, daddy. I just don't feel good if we separate."
The explanation brought Heero out of the worry he was subconsciously feeling. He really thought Solo was feeling something or rather someone bad. The reason for feeling agitated was invisible, for now. It was all linked to his six sense that was screaming at him.
"I won't be gone for long, and Uncle Tom will stay with you while I am gone."
"Please daddy, I want to stay with you, and if we stay together, nobody will be alone," responded Solo stubbornly.
"I think it's a good idea to stay together, Heero." recommended Tom, "And also we are in no hurry."
"Okay then lets stay together," responded Heero while watching his son relax again.
While looking for good parking place, Heero again got the bad feeling of being watched. Therefore, he made himself drive around parking place a little bit more, intuitively looking more closely at all the parked cars or unmoving people. If they really were being watched, it would just look like he was looking for the perfect spot.
A few minutes later, Heero got what he was looking for. "We are being watched," Heero responded quietly.
"Is that the reason, why you are driving all over the parking lot in a circle, for a while now?" Tom responded.
"Yes, and I think I found two van's that could be what I was searching for."
"For real? What color are they and where are they parked?" responded Tom frantically, trying to look all around in hope to spot what Heero was talking about.
As he was doing that Heero secretly smacked him on his right thigh, to get his attention "Stop that. If they are watching us, they won't like if they see, we are searching for them or someone."
"Just the thought, of them being out there, watching us is really creeping me out," said Tom quietly.
"The main priority for now is for two of you to get into the Mall and hide. The crowd of people is the best hiding place" continued Heero.
"Daddy?" Solo sounded agitated and scared.
"It's okay, Solo. Daddy just needs to know who those people are and why they are following us. Daddy will get this information only by talking to them. But, because I don't trust them, I need you to be safe." The explanation was fast and to the point.
"So what's the plan?" asked Tom with fear in his voice.
"I will park the car, and try to look as if I am busy with the phone call. Tom your main goal will be to get out of the car, and into the Mall. You need to look like you have a lot of time, so walk normal." while saying this Heero looked back to Solo. "Solo you need to promise me, nobody you don't feel good about will touch you in any way. Your priority is to hide. When I can, I will come to get you. Is that clear?"
"Daddy, I don't want to go without you," started Solo again.
"Solo, please you have to do what I am telling you without protesting, do you understand?"
"But, daddy," protested Solo sadly.
"Solo," responded Heero while using a cold voice even Tom haven't heard yet. It also raised every hair on his body.
Compare to Tom, Solo just looked down to his lap and did not complain anymore. In truth the voice his daddy was using right now was the voice of the stillness inside his daddy. It was like his daddy pushed every emotion he ever possessed into nothingness and only the shell was left behind.
The parking space, Heero chose for them was placed in between both targeted van's. In that spot he had direct back view look on each van.
While watching both van's Heero started to explain his plan. "Tom, you are the main decoy. Your task will be to step out of the car, have the bag for the store visible, so they will know why you are going into the Mall. The walk toward the entrance should be normal, like you have all the time on your side. Don't look left or right and don't try to look if someone is watching you. When you get inside, you hide and wait for Solo."
"What about Solo, wouldn't it be, safer for him, to walk with me?" asked Tom worried.
"We don't know what their intentions are. If he is walking with you, and if their main priority is to get their hands on Solo then both of you are a moving target. We cannot let that happen," Explained Heero.
"Oh, I didn't think about it," responded Tom.
"Solo," again the tone Heero use had a no bullshit all round it "When Uncle Tom, gets out of the car, you will follow him, but in comparison to Uncle Tom who will be walking for everyone to see him, you will be moving toward the entrance by hiding behind the cars you see all around us."
"But," Solo tried again, but stopped when he saw his father's eyes "okay." The sound Solo used was the sound of resignation.
"While hiding between cars, try to remember the time you and Uncle Trowa played hide and sick in the house. Right now the cars are your hiding place and the Mall entrance is your ultimate goal. You have the get to the entrance without anyone seeing you. Can you do that?" asked Heero.
Without a word Solo just nodded, looking down at his hands.
Heero's heart was breaking, with every cold word he was speaking to Solo the crack got wider. He wasn't fair to Solo and he knew it, but without his cold and crude personality, he wouldn't get Solo out of the car and into the safety of the Mall. Even so, he was aware that they couldn't part the way they were now.
"Solo," he said quietly, with warmer tones. At first Solo did not react, so Heero waited. When he saw his son's eyes on him, he made a hand signal to move forward and into his lap. At first he thought Solo wouldn't move, but his worries were irrelevant because as soon as Solo got the hand signal he flew over the seat and into his lap. His whole body was plastered to Heero.
"You know that, I love you, don't you?" he asked quietly.
The response was only Solo's nod.
"And you know what we are doing right now is very important?"
Again, he got only the nod as a replay.
"Good, because you are everything to me, son. Your safety is my main priority. To get you and Tom into the Mall is all I am thinking about."
"What about you," came a muffled child sound.
"When I know you are safely inside the Mall, I will breathe more easily and will be able to assess the situation more rationally. You know I was once a Gundam Pilot." With each answer or a fact, Solo only nodded "So, you have to trust me to take care of myself."
When he felt his son relaxing, he redirected his attention to Tom, "Are you ready?"
"As ready, as I will ever be," responded Tom seriously.
"Good, when I say Go you will open the doors and will get out. You will get a coat and will take the bag too, then you will stop and talk to me for as long as Solo needs to crawl out and hide behind the car next to us. Once he is in his position, you will close the door and turn toward the Mall."
"Okay," said Tom, "I just hope you get the information as quickly as possible and will follow after us as fast too. Once inside, we will do as you are saying. Please just be safe and don't let yourself be hurt."
"Will do my best, now Go." and Tom did just that.
First, it was Tom who got out, and to Heeros relief he was doing as Heero told him to. Next came Solo, but before releasing him, Heero gave him a quick hug back and a kiss on his forehead, then he let him go. The part that followed was the hardest for Heero. The need to have an eye on Solo was so strong that he almost caved, but in the end he stayed hard.
When he saw both of them reaching the Mall and even entering it without anyone bothering them, his main priority was done. Now the hardest part.
First ten minutes he sat in his driver seat thinking, watching, waiting. The wait and doing nothing was actually peaceful and it almost made him remember the war time. After some time pass he knew the time to phone Duo arrived. His main priority was to make him aware of what was going on and of people watching them. Maybe Duo would have some new ideas of what to do. While still sitting and looking down on the phone, getting ready for the talk, his phone rang and it was Duo calling him.
"Now that's what I call mind reading," Heero responded quietly.
"You wanted to call me, too?" came an astonished voice from the other side.
"Indeed I did. I was actually sitting in my car while looking at your phone number, and thinking about what to tell you." Confirmed Heero.
"What can I say, we are thinking on the same mind wave," responded Duo happily then continued "Do you miss me much?"
"Every minute you are gone." Responded Heero promptly.
"Are you joking with me right now," continued Duo incredulously.
"Would never do that, you know me." Came Heero's comeback reply.
"Heero, what is actually going on? You are sounding strange. Talk to me."
"In the morning, when I was coming back from helping Tom in the barn, I had a feeling of being watched. So I looked toward the woods, and whoever was up there forgot about the morning sun and the glass. It was a quick reflection, but still enough to get a confirmation."
"Someone is fucking spying on us?" responded Duo angry.
"Depend's on what period of time you are referring to. I don't think whoever is up there, is there for a long. I also think it actually started after you and Joe went away." Continued Heero without reacting to Duo's anger.
"When I get my hands on whoever it is up there, he or she will be sorry to be born." Responded Duo coldly.
"Right now that's not the main problem," Heero added.
"Tell me," came a cold respond with no humor in it.
"Right now, I am sitting in the car while two van's are flanking me and watching my every move." said Heero.
"Damn it to Hell," responded Duo "Where are you right now?"
"We had 2 stops planned for today. First was doc. Evans clinic and second the Mall. The first stop wasn't so bad. We left Bubbles in doc. Evans hands. He will be checked out and maybe his cast would be removed. Those were doc. Evans words. Afterward, we continued toward the Mall. When arriving, I had a bad feeling, so I drove around the parking place for a while. When I saw 2 vans, I knew I found the source. So here I am in stalemate." After Heero gave his explanation he fell silent.
"What are we going to do," asked Duo.
"If we take into count that you are not even here, you won't be doing anything." Responded Heero.
"Oh, shut it Mister!" came respond from Duo.
"What will I do is not decided yet. I need them to come out of those van's. That way I would get the numbers and faces. If I am lucky they will want to talk too. We need to know why they are following us and what their intentions are."
"What if you go back to the farm and wait for me there? I am coming home in 8 hours anyway. We are all but ready on my side so.."
"Solo and Tom are inside the Mall. I can not leave them by themselves. Also, we don't know if they would let them reach our car on the way back. So, I can't go to the farm."
"Also, we cannot ignore the possibility that they are there for Solo, damn it," responded Duo.
"Oh, the van's are opening," said Heero absently "I need to go."
"No, wait," responded Duo frantically, but it was too late because Heero already disconnected.
-.-.-.-
"Why is that stupid fucker still in his car?" one of the many men responded "And why does he talk on the phone and not going into the Mall?"
"If we took with us the right equipment as I suggested, we could listen to his phone call right now." Said another one.
"We all know you are always right Sam, so shut it." Came the reply from the other van.
Every single one of them had small wireless Earbud which allowed them to be connected and could talk to each other while being divided into teams such as it was today.
"What about his son?" asked the third one "is he actually with them?"
"Yes, he is." The fourth man responded. "I saw him."
"Did anyone see him leaving the car?" the boss man asked.
While almost everyone responded negatively one of the men gave the positive response, "I did, but not as him walking toward the Mall, I just saw him enter it."
"Enough of waiting, let's proceed to the first stage." Responded the boss "David, Rodriges, Stefan on the right Lee, Mark, Georg on the left. Surround the car, get him out of it, then get him in here."
"Wait," while all stopped Sam continued, "What if he starts making problems, shouldn't we talk about that possibility?"
"If he starts making problem, we can just say we have his boy and will kill him. Afterward, he will come, they all do." one of the selected man said.
"Or, we can just hit him so he blacks out and we peacefully bring him in as a bag of potatoes." Added another with a humor.
"Just in case, I still suggest we prepare sedatives," responded Sam.
"I will prepare them on my side too," came the voice of the driver from other van.
"Agreed, but do it quick," responded the boss, then continued to talk to others "Do whatever you need out there, but don't kill him we need him alive" responded their boss, "also, don't make too much noise or too much damage to the cars around us. We are not looking for attention."
"Roger, Aye, Yes, Alright, Agree and Will do," the response from everyone came quickly and each selected member stepped out of the van.
"Then, Rock and Roll,"
Little did they know how much trouble one man would do to them.
.
TBC
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PS: That is for now. Hope you guys still like my story. Thanks for reading it.
Note: I want to say a big "thank you" to my beta reader "Poisonsnake23"