A Girl Named Xero
Chapter 13
Xero found herself alone in a cold, dark hallway listening to the unnerving silence for anything that would indicate another life form. She had left Dorothy to fend for herself in the bloody control room. Whether she escaped Libra depended entirely on her now, and with any luck and the use of her conniving sensibilities, Dorothy would do just that. The only thing that mattered to Xero now was that she get back to Quatre. He was her world, her heart, he was all she needed.
The images of Quatre's bloody, pale body haunted her. Trowa had said that he would be alright, but he had looked so weak, so hopeless. She needed to know for sure. Xero's attention was drawn by a voice deep and strong drifting to her from down the hallway. An investigation proved the source to be coming from inside one of the rooms that branched off of the corridor. Unlike Relena's the door to this room was unlocked and she easily gained entry. \
"Finally we meet," the deep voice she had heard came from an attractive blonde man standing behind a grand mahogany desk.
"Millardo Peacecraft," Xero breathed his name in awe. For all her hopes, she had never expected to be able to come this close to him without guards present. "Why are you still here?"
"I was hoping to have the pleasure of meeting you, Xero." His thin lips curved upwards into a deceptively polite smile. "You're such an extraordinary creature, I had hoped you would join me, but unfortunately it seems this war has already been decided." His smile became a bittersweet mockery of what it had been.
"I wouldn't have helped you, you know," Xero assured him.
"I can see that. Your loyalty is admirable." Millardo placed both hands on the desk and his head sank for a brief moment before rising again. His blue eyes, that were even lighter in shade than her own, took on an almost pleading look. "I know I'm being a bit forward, but I will need to ask a favor of you." As he said this, a blast shook the Libra violently and alarms began to ring out all over the station. Xero fell as an aftershock took out her footing. "As you can see," Millardo continued completely unaffected by the quake, "the end is near." His form seemed to flicker and Xero blinked furiously. The fall must have caused her vision to blur….
"What would you need me for?" Xero shouted in order to be heard over the constant wailing of alarms and blasting that continued to shake the Libra with increasingly stronger frequency.
Millardo's form flickered again, this time she was sure of what she saw and immediately felt cheated. Angrily she blasted his image with her energy, suspicions confirmed as it simply passed through the hologram and destroyed a bookcase behind him. His expression became apologetic, "I never meant to cheat you like this," he explained, "but it was necessary. I couldn't stay any longer. As we speak Epyon and I are engaging Heero on the battlefield." He motioned to the projected image of the Earth behind him, its hulking mass seeming to crowd the portion of space it resided in. "The Libra is set on a course to collide with the Earth should I fail."
"Are you insane?" Xero screamed, the revelation wracking her brain with its possibilities. "Why are you so dead set on destroying the Earth and everyone on it?"
"That is why I need your help," he continued. "Should I fail, and I will, you and Heero need to destroy the Libra before it enters the atmosphere. If you fail, then it is destiny that the world would end today. If you succeed, well, then the world is meant to go forward."
"That's a really messed up way of thinking," Xero commented. "How am I supposed to destroy this stupid thing?"
"I would expect you to put that remarkable power of yours to use," his eyes penetrated her, looking straight into her soul. "The system in the control room is the source of the entire spacestation. I'm sure you'll figure it out from there." Millardo flickered out completely this time before coming back, a faded, crackling version of himself.
"I can't take down an entire spacestation by myself!" Xero screamed in frustration. "I'm just getting the hang of this ability! I'm not even sure of the extent of its strength."
"What a wonderful opportunity to test it out then isn't it?" He grinned devilishly at her. Apparently the disastrous possibilities were amusing to him. "Do what you can from the inside Xero. Join us on the battlefield when you're done." His image cut out with finality and she was once again alone.
Xero figured she didn't have many options available to her and ran back to the room she had just come from. Entering the blood-scathed room, she noted that Dorothy was no longer present and had most likely found a way off Libra. She stood in front of the giant screen and felt suddenly very tiny and insignificant. How the hell was she going to take Libra down on her own? Placing her palms on the input panel, she fingered the keys closest to her. Xero closed her eyes and began the process of extending her energy out and into the computer. Instantly she could feel her mind connecting with the gigantic database and she let her consciousness flow through the information for anything that would help. She gasped as the entire existence of Libra opened up to her; every function and power source became hers. Slowly, she began using her link to the system to shut down power to one sector at a time. When all but the sector she was located in was powerless, she stretched forward into the station searching. Click. It became apparent in that instant what she needed to do, however she wasn't sure she would be able to recuperate from the loss of the massive amount of her energy it would take to fulfill the task. Xero had realized over the last few days that whenever she used her energy blast ability, she was taping into her own energy and soul. If she overdid it, she would use up everything she had and no amount of rapid cell regeneration ability would be able to bring her back.
A complete system overload was what was needed to destroy Libra internally. Xero would have to put all she had into the system to achieve this. It became clear to Xero that she may not return from this and decided to make one last outgoing communication to the ones who would mourn her death. She pushed the system to reach out to the Peacemillion.
Noin's face filled the giant screen, anger turning to shock as Xero's face in turn flashed across the Peacemillion's screen. "Xero!" Noin exclaimed. "Thank God, what are you still doing there?"
"I kinda got stuck here," Xero sheepishly smiled trying to keep calm. "Noin, I need you to get Duo for me." The Lieutenant nodded and momentarily disappeared from view. Xero could hear thundering footfalls in the background and was abruptly greeted by a frantic Duo.
"Xero! You're still there?" He seemed confused as to why she hadn't made her escape yet. "That place is going to crash into the Earth you need to get out!"
"I'm aware Duo," Xero admitted sullenly. "I won't be escaping this time. I just wanted to say goodbye."
"What the hell are you talking about Xero?" Duo screamed at her from the other end. "You have to get back here, Quatre is counting on you!"
"I know," her voice quavered as she struggled to keep the tears in, "but a lot more people on Earth are counting on this hunk of junk being destroyed before it kills them."
"Don't be a hero!" Duo yelled in desperation.
"Duo, I'm going to overload the system and hopefully blow this thing inside out, I probably won't make it. Please…" She choked on tears that were building up, "Tell Quatre…"
"Tell me yourself when you make it out," Quatre appeared in the corner of the screen, his arm draped over Trowa's shoulders for support.
"We got here as quickly as we could," Trowa said.
Xero let out a laugh laced with joy and sorrow at Quatre's spunk, grateful for the chance to see him again. "I'll do my best." She let the tears flow freely down her face and her vision blurred.
"No crying love," Quatre admonished. "Crying indicates tragedy, and your story is going to be anything but that." His eyes caught hers filling her with strength and courage.
"I love you," she confessed one last time before letting every ounce of her soul explode out and into the computer. The faces she loved fizzled out and the screen shattered into a thousand pieces.
Xero's body seized and shook as the electrical discharge from the station mixed with her own and she was unable to distinguish one form the other. The smell of burning flesh assaulted her nostrils and she felt far separated from her body as she realized it was her own. Explosions shook the Libra and Xero fought to hang on long enough to give it everything she had.
:
Heero refused to let Xero's sacrifice go to waste as he in turn risked his own life to obliterate the small portion of Libra that had the audacity to break loose and threaten the Earth on its own. The metal of Wing Zero heated to the extreme as he fought against the Earth's atmosphere and held his beam canon as steadily as he could screaming from his very core in agony and desperation. He would prevail, he would be victorious god damnit, too many had lost in order to give this war meaning.
The situation seemed to be devoid of all hope when finally his work paid off. The piece of spacestation caught fire and exploded into smaller non-lethal pieces and rained down into the atmosphere to be burned up by the Earth's natural defense. Heero exhaled one long relieved breath, and caught in the corner of his eye something impossible.
There amidst the rubble, ash and debris were swirling together and accumulating into flesh and bone. Heero lunged towards the mass that was quickly becoming whole again, and grasped it tightly with Wing Zero's hulking metal hand. Could it be? With the utmost speed, he dashed back to the Peacemillion. He had just accomplished something no other soldier had any hope of doing, and now he was giving the only person who even had a chance of surviving something like that a chance to live.
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Duo and Wufei raced to meet Wing Zero in the docking bay of Peacemillion while Trowa lagged behind helping Quatre make his way there. The hatch opened and Heero staggered out completely spent and exhausted. There was cheering from the mechanics and soldiers who had worked on their Gundams and helped prepare the battle strategies. Their hope was renewed; the war was over! In all the comotion, only Duo and Wufei noticed Heero motioning wildly for help. He slowly lowered Wing Zero's hand and allowed it to release its hold of its prize. Quatre and Trowa managed to reach the scene in time. All five Gundam pilots crowded around the twisted metal blocking the view of any others in the room. What they saw there left them all baffled.
Curled in on herself, Xero lay with her arms wrapped around her calves pulling them to her chest and mouth touching her knees. Her long auburn hair twined around her body like overgrown vines offsetting the flushed, naked skin. Wufei quickly stripped off the long white jacket he wore over his traditional clothing and wrapped Xero up in it to preserve her modesty. No one asked questions as the seemingly sleeping miracle was carried out of the hanger in Wufei's capable arms, but the sight would always be remembered as a symbol of their victory. Life had been pulled from the wreckage the war had left behind giving the world a new beginning; a second chance.
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"I can't believe you're so calm!" Maxine squealed as she paced around the sunlit room. Xero stood observing herself in the floor length mirror. Her hair was done up with pearls and white lilies and her body was wrapped in white lace and creamy satin. She smiled wide at Maxine who was panicking about Xero's makeup and lack of matching shoes.
"It's not a big deal Max," Xero breathed in deeply the scent of fresh cut flowers flowing through her pleasantly.
"Of course it is!" She was really going overboard. 'You can't be barefoot and no make up!"
"Why not?" A new voice asked. Relena entered the room dressed and ready, so she was now able to assist. "Make up is over rated, and you don't need it." She smiled appreciatively at her friend and hugged her warmly.
Maxine groaned, but conceded. Relena was not her favorite person in the least, but she would deal with her for Xero's sake, especially today of all days.
The three women exited the room and made their way down stairs and out the door to the beach that surrounded the Winner's seaside mansion. A small, close knit group of those closest to Quatre and herself were gathered just out of reach of the waves washing up on shore. They quieted as Relena and Maxine both made their way up to the head of the group in turn as soft music played. Of all the people there, Quatre seemed the most nervous. He stood before all his friends and family in a simple white button down shirt and black slacks; it seemed he too had thought shoes futile as he stood barefoot in the sand waiting impatiently.
Heads turned as what they had been waiting for appeared around the corner of the alcove and the group took in a breath as one audibly at the sight. She was, as the phrase said, a vision in white. Xero's knee length dressed flounced outwards around her legs and groupings of lace bunched at her waist. Her shoulders were bare as the strapless dress rose to just under her clavicles with frothy lace. She stared ahead a little sad that she would have to walk down the aisle alone, when a hand took her arm at the crook of her elbow. She turned her head to see Trowa standing there with a sweet smile on his face. Xero had been worried he would not come, but was so happy that he had.
Without a word they, proceeded down the aisle towards Quatre and Rashid who was proudly observing the event as he prepared to marry the man he thought of as a son, to the woman who had so easily captured all their hearts with her kindness and selfless courage. As the pair reached the end of the aisle they stood side by side, Trowa, taking his role very seriously. Xero had been his for so long, it was only right that he be the one to give her away.
"Dearest friends," Rashid began, "we are gathered here today for the most joyous of occasions; to join this man," he grasped Quatre's shoulder with one large callused hand, "and this woman," he smiled adoringly at Xero. "Who gives this woman up freely to be joined with her mate?"
Trowa took his queue and squeezed Xero's hand gently before releasing it. "I do," he said firmly. Before he took his seat with the others, Trowa kissed Xero's cheek and gave Quatre a stern look that both men understood to mean that he was giving up something very precious to him and that Quatre was to dearly care for it. Quatre nodded in agreement at his friend and took Xero's hand in his own leading her to stand next to him.
The ceremony was short and simple, but many a tear was shed at the sweetness of it. When Rashid asked if there was anyone present who objected to Quatre and Xero's joining, Duo shot up, but was immediately dragged back down into his seat by Heero who grunted in annoyance. Laughter ensued at Duo's mock proclamation of love, but was quickly stifled as the rings and vows were exchanged. The vows were simple and short. Both promised to love and cherish the other no matter what the circumstance, and before anyone realized how quickly the whole thing had gone, Rashid was pronouncing them man and wife.
This was the moment that all had been waiting for and they cheered and clapped as Quatre took his wife into his arms and kissed her. No more stolen kisses in dark rooms, no more secretive embraces. They could finally be together in the public eye and Xero no longer had to pretend to be someone she wasn't.
The cheering became louder and more pronounced as Quatre, in his mirthful state, tightened his hold and swooped Xero down into a dip and then lifted her back up again. She blushed and laughed as they took hands again and followed everyone to a nearby gazebo that had been decorated for the reception. There was dancing, laughing, and clinking of glasses by excited guests wanting the happy couple to kiss again as was tradition. As the sun began to set, the mood shifted from celebratory to romantic as people began to pair off and drift towards the shore. Xero watched contentedly and with some amusement as Relena managed to drag Heero along with her and Duo led Maxine off to a more private section of the beach. She wondered what was between the two, but was brought out of her reverie as a strong hand stroked the length of her left arm tenderly.
"What are you thinking about," Quatre asked draping his arms around her small form.
"The future," she answered honestly. "How things will turn out for our friends, what will happen next for all of us." She was vaguely referring to the Gundams and what would become of them now that the war was over. There would always be someone out there unsatisfied with the way of things that would try to make it there own. They would have to be the ones to protect the newfound peace that had been established in the past six months since the end of the war.
"All we can do," he answered, "is take things as they come." His soft lips brushed the top of her shoulder. "In the meantime," he said placing small kisses on bare skin, "where will we go for our honeymoon?" He finished the question as his mouth reached the hollow of her neck. The kiss he placed there left her shivering and reminded her of where they had left off almost a year ago.
"What makes you think once all our guests go home, and we get to your room that we'll ever be coming back out?" Xero said mischievously.
"Our room Mrs. Winner," Quatre corrected her as he softly chuckled. His voice had taken on a husky quality that said he wasn't sure he was inclined to wait for their guests to leave before whisking her away.
Xero turned in his arms now to face him and found his eyes roaming hungrily over her. "Behave yourself Mr. Winner," Xero teased. She squeaked and jumped when she felt Quatre pinch her playfully. He released her from his hold and gave her a scathing look that said one thing. Run. She screamed in glee as she took off running barefoot through the sand to the house gaining some strange looks from the guests, as Quatre chased her. She could hear Duo whoop and yell encouragingly at Quatre before she reached the door and raced inside thinking only one thing.
This was going to be a long night…
A/N: Hey guys! That is the end of Xero's story. I hope you all really enjoyed it. I may write a lemon for Quatre and Xero that continues on from this point if I get enough requests, but as of right now, I haven't gotten enough reviews to motivate me to continue. I will be posting the next story in this series that will focus on another pilot in a few days so check it out!