Chapter 14: To America
Meika awoke after a long sleep with her head on Heero's shoulder. She looked up and smiled.
"Look, the airport." Katsumi turned and shook Quatre to wake him up.
"We're finally here huh?" Duo said, grinning.
Ayame leapt out of the jeep as soon as they had stopped. Quatre jumped out and gently helped Katsumi out.
"I think only a few of us should go and look at the flight schedule." Meika said. "If we all go in we will attract too much attention. I think the best people for the job would be Ayame, Katsumi, and Wufei. Their pictures haven't been plastered all over the TV."
There was agreement throughout the group as the three crept quietly towards the airport entrance. The trio then appeared to be normal citizens looking for their flight.
"There's one for Albuquerque. Up there on the left screen under the flight for Seattle." Ayame pointed out. The schedule read that the flight would be leaving in an hour from gate three. When they returned to the rest of the group, the plan was met with disproval from Meika.
"It will still be daylight then, it will be hard to sneak onto a flight in the middle of the day." Meika pointed out.
"Well, gate three is close to the tree line, so if we go in groups of two, we should be able to make it there safely." Heero said.
"Oh, okay. Well then let's go!" Meika replied, slightly upbeat now. Trowa began passing out bundles of supplies. When everything was packed, the group left the empty stealth jeep.
"Meika and I will go first. I won't be able to run because of these injuries. Everyone should follow at about 10 minute intervals." Heero said without protest. Heero slipped his hand over Meika's as they made their way to the cargo hold of the plane. When they were safely onboard Heero and Meika set their belongings in a corner behind some tall luggage. Meika was setting her stuff down when Heero slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her softly against him. She turned in his arms so they were facing each other and placed a shy kiss on his lips. The two jumped apart when there was a coughing sound behind them.
"So, that's why you wanted to go first! A little alone time I see." Duo said laughingly. Ayame was next to him giggling. Meika smiled and looked at Heero who she would swear was hiding a blush. A few moments later Quatre and Katsumi followed them.
"Hey! Quatre you'll never guess what Heero and…" Duo's sentence was cut short as Heero punched him on the top of his head. When Trowa and Wufei arrived Duo was unconscious and the rest of the group was laughing.
Shortly after they were all on board, the plane took off.
"Well, we're on our way." Katsumi sat on the floor curling up next to Quatre.
"Hey, Katsumi. What kind of connections do you have?" Quatre asked her. The others perked up a little at this question.
"My parent's best friend. She's funny, I think even you guys would be scared at how against Oz she is."
"Are you sure she is still in Albuquerque?" Heero asked.
Katsumi nodded. "Oh yeah, I guarantee that."
Ayame smiled inwardly. At least it sounded like this woman would be helpful. Ayame closed her eyes as Duo pulled her next to him. In a few short moments the lulling of the engines put her to sleep.
One by one the others fell asleep. Meika continued check the supplies and preparing the ammunition and guns. When she was done she laid down next to where Heero was sitting. She had thought he was asleep until she heard him sigh.
"Hm?" she queried.
"These bandages are awkward." Meika laughed softly and kneeled in front of him.
"Can I?" She asked shyly. Heero nodded and removed his shirt. Almost his whole torso was wound in bandages. Meika blushed a little as she began to remove the bandages.
"I'm sorry you had to save me, otherwise this never would have happened." She said sadly. Heero lifted her chin and looked into her eyes.
"I would never let something happen to you." He kissed her forehead lightly. She pulled the rest of his bandages off.
"Your wounds are healing nicely. You won't need the bandages anymore." She traced her fingers over the holes in his side. He smiled and pulled his shirt over his head and pulled Meika into his lap. She blushed and nuzzled his neck.
"So tell me about you." Meika blinked at his question.
"Well I was born in the United States but moved to Japan when I was three. I grew up in downtown Tokyo. I entered the flight academy when I was thirteen." Heero was stroking her hair gently.
A groggy Duo turned over and interrupted. "You guys should sleep, save your lovey moments for then you're alone." Meika laughed as Duo turned back over and wrapped his arms around Ayame. Meika put her head on Heero's chest. The sound of his heartbeat quickly put her to sleep.
A few hours later Meika was awoken by a small rustling noise. She opened one eye and realized that Heero wasn't where he had been lying a few hours before. She looked up and noticed that he was repacking the supplies so they would be more balanced when they were going to have to carry them. She watched with interest until suddenly he winced and sucked in breath sharply. His hand shot to his side and he closed his eyes. Meika sat up, worried. After a brief moment like that, he went back to packing the bundles.
Meika walked over to his side. He looked up at her as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay? Do you want some help? Just because I took the bandages off didn't mean you were completely healed." Heero stared at her for a moment and nodded. With two working the job was done quickly. Meika sat back down and looked at the others. Trowa was sitting atop a stack of boxes with his head supported by his arms on another box. Wufei was leaning against the far wall. She smiled when she saw the other four. Ayame was curled up on the floor with Duo holding her. Quatre was laying on his back and Katsumi had her head on his chest. The cats were curled up next to her. Suddenly there was a small lurch and the sensation of rolling on a tar path.
"Everybody up! We've landed!" Heero shouted. Everyone stirred and woke up. Taking bundles and weapons, everyone was ready when the cargo doors opened. It was night and it was easy for the group to sneak out. They made a run for it, into the trees.
"What's the plan now?" Ayame asked.
"Ms. Reo's house is in the middle of the desert. Near the border to Mexico." Katsumi said shyly.
"What?" Wufei asked angrily.
"Were going to have to 'borrow' a vehicle to get there." Heero said nonchalantly. Finding a truck was no problem, and Ayame hotwired it easily. Meika jumped in the driver's seat and Katsumi got in the passenger seat so she could give Meika directions. The journey took four days in the truck.