Chapter 2: Throwing your life away

Heero drove as fast as he could towards Relena's place. It wasn't a long drive in the first place, so he would be there in a moment. This was an emergency though, so he was aiming to cut his time in half.

Relena hadn't mentioned any names but he knew it was Jade. He hadn't been sure at first, but now he knew for sure that the girl he had seen yesterday had been Jade. This would be just like her style too. What he couldn't understand is why? What could be so important that she would do this? Why would she come back?

Slamming his car into park, Heero ran into the building. He had plenty of weapons on him, but he was still on guard. If he knew Jade well enough, she would have plenty more on her. When he got to Relena's door, he stopped. Heero took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door. He would have gone around to a side window, but he knew that he had to face Jade. Trying to sneak up on her would only provoke her further. Just as he had expected, Jade sat in a chair facing him. Two guns pointed at his head.

"Impressive time," she smirked. "She must be special to you."

Relena let out a huge sigh of relief when Heero walked in. She was sitting on the couch, just behind Jade. As long as Heero showed up, Relena knew she would be fine.

"Impressive time," she heard Jade say. "She must be special to you."

"That doesn't concern you." Heero responded glaring at her. He was slipping into soldier mode. Relena could tell by the emotionless glare in his eyes. Relena had worked so hard to keep that look out of his eyes, she would hate to have her being taken hostage push Heero back to his old ways.

"Heero," Relena said, but he ignored her. He was intently staring at this Jade girl.

"What's the matter?" Jade asked him lowering her guns, and standing up. "I thought you would be happy to see me."

This small comment, from this girl, snapped Heero back to normal. Somehow, this had struck a nerve. "I would be," he said, "but not like this. I can see that you still haven't managed to grow up. This is stupid on so many levels."

"How so?" Jade inquired with a smirk on her face.

"It's stupid that you're here in the first place! After everything I did for you! You know what a risk this is, and then to take Relena 'hostage'. I would have never thought you to be such an idiot."

"It was a good plan though, and it worked. Unlike you, I regret nothing. I get done what needs to be done, and to hell with myself. You're just too soft." She taunted.

Relena was confused. These two obviously knew each other. But Heero was far from soft. Relena had seen him almost die trying to get 'things' done, more than any of the other pilots. Who was this girl, and who was she to think that she knew Heero at all? Relena was left out, and it bugged her. It was only for the interest of knowing more, that she kept quiet.

"But why Relena?"

Jade laughed. "Besides what you, a major idiot, may think I am not stupid. I saw the way you were looking at her in the mall yesterday. Flirting it up. That is so gross by the way, I would have expected better from you. It's a wonder you got anything done during that little war we had. All and all though, she was an obvious choice."

Relena shuddered. She hated the fact that she always seemed to get targeted, especially when she was with Heero. If it was for political reasons she could understand, but not for being with Heero! If she didn't know so much that deep down Heero really must love her, she would have gotten out long before. It wasn't just luck that Heero always came to her rescue. He cared, even if he never would say those exact words. If only it wasn't Pargan's day off, then none of this would have happened. Jade would have never gotten control like this.

"So what's the point of this 'hostage'?" Heero asked Jade. "You know that I'm not to negotiate with terrorists."

"Oh, so you do still remember your training. Well, that's fine. I'm no terrorist though, not that it much matters. I don't expect you to negotiate. I expect you to just accept my terms so that we can move on. The hostage was just to get you here. You made it clear to me long ago that you didn't want contact with me, and I didn't want contact with you then either, but circumstances have changed. Oh please, stop looking like a puppy who just got their chew toy taken away. I'm not going to hurt her, if that's what you are worried about. She's free to leave, or do whatever now. That is, as long as you talk to me." Jade threw her guns down on the floor.

Heero glanced at Relena and nodded his head, silently telling her to leave. She shook hers in return. She wanted to know what was going on! Besides, it was her house! Heero let out a sigh, Relena could tell the situation wasn't what he wanted it to be. She didn't care. She wanted to know.

"So talk," he said.

"I need to get in touch with J"

"J died, along with G, S, O, and H."

"I don't care about the others. Cut the crap! I need to talk to J. I have a few choice words for him that I would rather deliver in person."

"He's dead!"

"Stop bullshitting me! I know that you know where he is. He's still tinkering with his stupid machines and you know it! Now, I don't know why you're hiding him, but you had better 'fess up."

Heero glanced at Relena, who saw a flicker of fear in his eyes. But she couldn't be sure because he quickly turned back to Jade. "If I do take you to where he is, why do you want to 'talk' to him? You are out! Why risk having to go back in? It's not just you that's in danger with this. They could go after me too. You need to know why I'm so hesitant to just let you hop on the next shuttle to throwing your life away."

"Mhn hmnm tm hmnmt mn," Jade mumbled, sinking back down into the chair.

"What?" Heero asked his voice also low. Apparently, Relena wasn't the only one that didn't understand what she said.

"The chip is back on!" Jade yelled.

Heero immediately rushed to her side and grabbed her shoulders. "Are you serious?" He had gone pale.

"Hai," she nodded now looking at the floor. Heero immediately locked her in an embrace.

A moment later, with perfect timing, Duo came strolling in whistling. "Hey Relena, I need to ask a fa...whoa!" he said observing the scene. Heero who had now let go of Jade, and gotten up, looked like he was in shock.

Relena was confused. What was this chip? Jade was definitely close to Heero. Relena had never seen Heero show that much affection to anyone, good or bad. She must have been with him for his training with Doctor J, or else, how would she know J? But still, the familiarity! Heero didn't act like that towards any of the other pilots. Still, none of the other pilots were girls. That made a difference, and Relena felt her blood boil with jealousy.

"Heero," Relena said crossing over to him, "are you okay?"

"No," Heero said, not even turning to face her. He did, however, turn to Duo. "I'm going to need everyone's help and NOW."

"Ok," Duo nodded.