Here's where things truly begin.

Enjoy~

fjfjfjfjfjfjfjfj

Chapter 12

fjfjfjfjfjfjfjfj

"Things seem to be progressing smoothly.."

Heero snorted softly and glanced towards his one time enemy sarcastically. "That only convinces me further that something is going to happen."

Zechs nodded slightly, but kept his eyes fixed on his brother's smiling face behind the table at Relena's side. "I agree. I'm just uncertain that I believe Relena could have plotted everything on her own... My gut is telling me that she had to get help."

"She has the resources to hire a small army. I wouldn't put it past her to buy a plan from someone as well." Heero muttered as he glared at his ex.

"Very true... Have you thought of anything that could have triggered this?" Zechs questioned as he looked carefully around the closed off room of the courthouse. It was small. Only half of the press that had attended the speech were allowed to get in. It made it far easier to map out security, but that was the most puzzling thing. Relena had picked this building herself. Something had to be wrong.

Thinking very similar things, Heero folded his arms over his chest and kept his gaze locked on the two at the other side of the room. "Nothing that makes any sense. It could be petty jealousy, but this is extreme... What about you?"

The redirection made Zechs snort slightly as he leaned back against the securely locked doors of the main entrance. "I may be her brother, but I don't have a clue about her. Only thing I can gather is that something about Pagan's death made her snap. That's when all of this appears to have started." he concluded as he glanced at his watch. The Q&A would be over in mere minutes. After that they had to move quickly.

"If she truly has snapped, we should also be prepared." Heero met Zechs' puzzled gaze as a grim expression darkened his features. "She may consider us obstacles at this point. Our own lives may be in just as much danger."

Zechs kept his gaze locked on Heero's for a moment before he gave a slight snort. "Whatever. At the moment I'm only concerned about Quatre."

Heero's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. As he turned his attention back to the pair they were watching, he mulled over the strange new relationship between his two blonde comrades. 'Zechs went from hating the ground Quatre stood on to being fiercely protective of him... Practically over night... Something isn't adding up.'

-"Dragon reporting. The armored cars are ready at the back entrances. One has instructions to escort Dove directly back to HQ. The other is ready to transport Prince to the new safehouse location."- Wufei's voice stated over their headsets.

"Fire, how are things proceeding on your end?" Zechs asked, not taking his eyes off his brother.

-"Nothing suspicious has occurred, but that just seems suspicious in itself. No sight of even one protester."- Noin called out with a noticeable strain in her voice.

Before Zechs could reply, Sally's voice suddenly cut in. -"Wind, the power seems to be fluctuating in the control room. Are any other areas experiencing this?"-

Both Heero and Zechs shot their attention to the lights above, and quickly noticed a faint flickering. "Dawn team, has there been any activity around the circuit breakers?" Heero quickly asked.

-"Negative, sir. We've had all access points to any utilities under guard since the inspection."- came a woman's firm reply.

At the other end of the room, it was taking all of Qutre's self control to continue smiling. His heart was racing, and the hot lights above were making him uncomfortable. Everything he was hearing through the headset made it all the more nerve wracking. 'Duo and Trowa found the evidence... Relena's the one behind everything.' Sitting beside the clearly disturbed woman was making his skin crawl. She was obsessed.

'With her own brother..'

The woman shifted slightly in her seat beside him as she listened to another reporter's question. She seemed to be inching closer to him throughout the entire event, which only increased Quatre's unease. He glanced down at the white fabric of her dress was close to touching him. The dress was a bit formal for such a function, but Quatre's thoughts came to a screeching halt when there was something that looked out of place. Peeking out from under a satin sash tied around her waist was a clear plastic cap.

'A.. A syringe safety cap...'

His gaze shot up towards Relena, and his heart pounded when her blue eyes met his own. A smirk twitched her lips upward as her fingers gave a sharp snap.

In the blink of an eye, every light in the building cut off. There was an alarmed yelp as a commotion stirred amongst the reporters, but there were firm shouts that echoed over the worried crowd.

"Everyone stay where you are! Someone find out what the hell happened to the lights!"

"Lock down the building! No one gets in or out!"

The moment the lights shut off Quatre launched himself as far away from the table as he could. He felt something swat at him, but it only caught his sleeve as he jerked back. A frustrated growl sounded from nearby, but it was followed by hurried footsteps rushing away. Keeping low to the floor in the darkness, Quatre focused on the blueprints he had memorized of the building. He ran through every point that would give him the best cover, and settled on a ventilation shaft that connected the conference room to a circuit breaker room. He could hear Heero and Zechs calling for him, but he didn't want to give away his position to anyone else that was looking for him in the pitch black.

It took him a moment to locate the grate, but he was quickly prying it free and slipping inside as the confusion continued. Crawling his way through the narrow metal corridor, Quatre waited until he was halfway to contact the others through his headset. "Prince is fine. Relocating to a different position."

He didn't have the wait long for a response.

-"Prince! Where the hell are you?!"- both Heero and Zechs seemed to snap at him.

Quatre couldn't hold back his chuckle. "Heh.. I'm making my way to position 37. There I may be able figure out what is going on."

-"Dragon, you're closest. Guard that position. Wind and I will keep watch over the access point. "- Heero called back quickly.

-"Roger, Wing. Prince, have you arrived at position 37?"-

"Nearly. Few more seconds..." Quatre found the grate that separated him from the circuit breaker room and pushed against it. The thin metal grate soon gave way, and Quatre was quick to catch it before it went clattering to the ground. He wasted no time climbing out of the vent and into the circuit breaker room. It was still completely black, but Quatre fished his cell phone out of his pocket. Using the display light to see by, he began looking around.

"I'm in, Dragon. Where are you?"

Five quick knocks sounded against the door to the small room. -"Position 37."-

Wasting no time, Quatre went to the narrow door and opened it. "Wufei..."

"I'm here." Wufei was able to squeeze himself inside, and once the door was closed he let out a heavy breath. "Damn.. Are you okay?" It was hard to really check within the dim cell phone light.

"I'm fine. She made a grab for me, but I was able to get away." Quatre looked down at his left sleeve and frowned when he saw a tear caused by something slicing into his cuff. "Wing, the item that was reported missing may be in the possession of Dove. Please use caution."

-"Copy that, Prince. Stay in place while we continue to contain the situation."-

Wufei shook his head and folded his arms over his chest. "This is insane. I'm almost insulted that woman has us running around like this." Wufei muttered quietly.

"She can be cunning when the situation calls for it, but this is madness." Quatre continued looking over the circuit breakers for anything that would be out of place. "I just wish I knew what provoked this. None of it makes any sense."

"That woman has never made any sense from the beginning." Wufei readily snorted. "As long as you are safe then she can't accomplish her twisted agenda. That is all that matters."

Quatre frowned slightly, but he made no comment. He had promised Heero to slack off on the self blame. "We really can't make another move until the power is restored. I know the layout of the building, but we don't know how well Relena has prepared for this."

"It's best we stay put for the time being. If we do make a move, it should be focused on getting you to the armored cars. We have the evidence we need to begin a formal investigation. No need to place your life in further danger." The Asian man leaned back against the wall and bowed his head in thought. "How.. Are you holding up?"

Glancing back to his comrade, Quatre quirked up a brow. "Holding up?"

Wufei nodded slightly and lifted his head to meet the shadowed blue gaze. "I would like to think that I know you fairly well at this point. All of this mindless violence focused towards you... I admire your resolve to keep your control in the face of it." A slight smirk suddenly made his lips twitch upwards. "Your acting has improved greatly."

The sly comment had a frustrated pout forming at Quatre's pale face. "Oh shut up. You catch me taking one acting class, and you never let me live it down." He promptly flipped off his companion and returned to his task. "People keep asking me how I'm doing.. But I don't even know the answer. I don't know what to feel at this point. I'm just... Tired."

The honest answer had Wufei frowning in concern. "Have you told this to anyone else?"

"Heero pretty much can tell just looking at me. The others usually take my answers for what they are. I'm sure they don't believe me when I say I'm okay." Quatre found a black wire peeking out from a panel and began trying to pry it open. "But what am I supposed to say? That I feel like week old road kill that's been run over a few hundred times? How I feel won't change the situation one way or another."

He couldn't deny the last comment, so Wufei let the matter drop. Instead he pushed away from the wall to see what the blonde was up to. "Une had me fill out request forms for you to go on vacation leave. She automatically approved them. You'll have a month off once all of this is over."

Quatre paused in what he was doing and considered the offer. "A vacation... I don't think I've ever taken one... At least not for myself." he mused before prying the panel off. He traced the black wire that seemed out of place, and soon came upon a device that was mounted on the other wires within the panel. "What the... Wufei, hold my cell up."

Wufei readily took up the phone and aimed the display light towards the device. "What is it..?"

"I'm not sure.. It's not something I recognize.. It doesn't belong here, though. You can see where the wires were recently spliced." Quatre inspected the wire connectors and traced where each wire led to. "Whatever it is.. It taps into the main switches for the courthouse lights..."

"If this is a remote triggered device, it would have been a simple matter of her to kill the power from a distance." Wufei commented as he tried to look for anything familiar on the small square device.

"I don't think she was the one. She gave a signal. There's someone else within the building working with her."

"Dammit.." Wufei reached up for his headset. "Wing, we've found evidence of tampering at position 37. Suggests an accomplice acting under signals."

-"Roger. The building is under lockdown. We're trying to get the backup generators operational, but there are signs of tampering there as well. We're commencing investigations with use of flashlights. Still no sign of Dove. Hold your position."-

"Affirmative." Wufei turned his attention to the blonde. "Think we should try removing it?"

The blonde head shook. "I don't think it would be wise. I don't have anything cut the wires, and we don't know what else this thing might do."

That thought had Wufei frowning. "If that's the case then we may not be safe here."

"At this point we're not safe anywhere." Quatre snorted as he looked away from the device. "We're right where Relena wants us. This entire things screamed trap from the beginning." He clenched his fists for a moment before he let out a frustrated sigh. "I knew I was going to be in the center of that trap, but I didn't want anyone else caught with me... Ow! What the hell was that for?!" Quatre yelped as he clutched at the ear that was just flicked hard.

Giving a bland glare, Wufei poked the center of the pale forehead. "That was for trying to get away with using yourself as bait. Idiot. You should know better than to think we'd let you try that on your own. That only proves that you're wearing yourself too thin if you can't even grasp that."

Quatre blinked at the retort only to glare right back and fold his arms over his chest. "For being pinned as the victim, I'm certainly taking a lot of abuse from my so called friends. So I blame myself a lot. So I don't want anyone else to get hurt. Get the fuck over it. That's how I am. I'm not helpless. I'm not going to fall apart. So quit acting like I'm going to shatter into a million pieces!"

The outburst was a little unexpected, but Wufei calmly arched up an eyebrow as he gave a little smirk. "Feel better?"

Pouting again, Quatre looked away stubbornly. "Arrogant bastard. You always set me off like that."

Wufei's smirk grew as he placed his hand atop the blonde head. "You always need it. I know the others coddle you too much. It's just how they are. You know they're only worried."

The Arabian swatted the hand away from his head with a little huffing noise. "I know that, but it's still annoying. It's like I'm still 15. It makes me wanna bite something." he grunted, lightly grinding his teeth.

"Heh. Good. Get angry. You always hold yourself back. You have the right to be pissed more than anyone." Wufei rested his hand and Quatre's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Use that anger. I know you're worried about losing yourself to it, but your stronger than that. You can make it work for you."

He wanted to go with that advice, but, on looking at those steady dark eyes locked on his own, Quatre let out a sigh and gave a weak smile. "I appreciate that, Wufei. You're the only one I can be candid with."

Gripping a bit tighter to the tense shoulder, Wufei shook his head. "You can be with the others, you just don't have to worry about putting me off. You're far too polite. It's okay to be a bastard every now and then. Even for you."

"I've always wanted to be a bastard." Quatre chuckled at his own expense and allowed his shoulders to slump a little.

Wufei was about to comment, but the sounds of footsteps coming down the corridor beyond the door had both of them still. It was a distinct clicking sound. Like someone wearing high heels.

Quatre immediately closed his cell phone and put it in his pocket to kill the light source. The door to the circuit breaker room automatically locked any time it was closed and could only be opened from the inside unless someone had the key. 'But... She probably has a key...'

Thinking the same thing, Wufei immediately drew his side arm and pushed the blonde to get behind him. "Get back into the vent shaft." he whispered as he took aim.

He instantly wanted to refuse, but Quatre knew now wasn't the time to argue. He moved back to the vent opening just as the sound of a key inserting into the lock alerted them that they had been found out.

The thin metal of the door seemed to explode as three gunshots pierced through. The sound nearly deafened him, but Quatre immediately spun around when he heard Wufei cry out. "Wufei!"

Light was pouring through the bullet holes and showed the Chinese man collapsed on the floor clutching at his right shoulder. Ignoring the impending danger, Quatre dropped down to his friend's side and pulled him close. "Wufei! Where were you hit?!" he hissed quickly as he tried to get a grip on the frenzy his mind was falling into.

Gasping through his clenched teeth, Wufei tried to stop the warmth pouring out of his shoulder with his trembling left hand. "Quatre.. Run... Go.. Now!" he growled as he made a weak attempt to pull away.

But Quatre only held tighter. "Shut the fuck up!" The door began creaking open, so he quickly leaned in to whisper into his fallen comrade's ear. "Whatever happens in the next few minutes, I need you to contact Sally once you're safe. Tell her that favor she did for me is coming into play."

Wufei stared in confusion as the door continued to open. "Wh.. What..?"

A smirk curled Quatre's lips as he glanced towards the door. "The reason I became the bait..." He pulled a piece of paper from his jacket pocket and quickly slipped it into Wufei's. "She's not the only one who can set a trap."

The door finally opened and kept Wufei from voicing anything further.

They were both blinded by a bright light, but they could hear a soft giggling coming from the pitch black corridor. "There you are, Quatre dear... I've been looking everywhere for you." that too familiar high pitched voice called out giddily.

The blonde head lifted and aqua eyes narrowed sharply as they glared at the shadow beyond the light. "Relena... Stop this. I'll do as you say. Just leave Wufei and the others alone." he stated on an even flat tone.

"Quatre, you can't trust her!" Wufei growled as he weakly clutched the arm around him with his right hand.

Another giggle filled the silence. "How noble, Sweet Quatre... And if I decide to get rid of this mouthy piece of trash now?"

Quatre saw the outline of a gun aimed at his friend, but a wide smirk was pulling over his face. "You do anything to anyone I care about, you best make sure I'm dead first. Or I'll take pleasure in ripping off your face and shoving it down your throat."

That calm manner he spoke in startled Wufei. 'He.. He means it..' The hold that was on him was becoming too tight, but it strengthened the blonde's words. Quatre was pissed. Beyond pissed. He noticed the outline of the gun dropping slightly as if the psychotic woman was startled by the words. 'She knows he's serious...' His eyes then flickered to his comrade.

There was a hardened edged to that strange smile that was almost daring the woman to try something. The glint in the blue eyes showed someone that had no fear of the situation. Someone that knew what they were doing. 'He has a plan...'

Wufei knew he was dead weight at this point. The first step his friend had to overcome in order to continue. He had been given a task to carry out as a part of this plan. A task he couldn't accomplish if he didn't allow the blonde to proceed.

It seemed like an eternity before he forced himself to finally release his friend's arm. "You better not die, Winner." Wufei growled quietly.

An amused hum left the Arabian as he carefully released his wounded comrade. "If I do, you have permission to kill me." Without another glance to the ebony eyes glaring at him, Quatre stood up and raised his hands. "I'll go quietly. Give me your word you won't harm anyone else."

The gun finally lowered and the shadowed figure took a step back. "You're the only one I want, Quatre. Now let's take this to a better location, shall we? There's a lot we have to do."

A slight sneer tugged at Quatre's lips, but he kept his calm expression. "I'm sure.. Let's get it over with." he muttered as he walked out of the circuit breaker room.

Lying helplessly on the floor, Wufei clenched his teeth tightly as he watched the sadistic woman lead his friend away at gunpoint. The wide smile on her darkened face made his stomach turn, but he had to bite back his tears as they went out of sight. He could still hear her heels clicking sharply on the tiled floor, but then a door opened and the sound disappeared as the door closed.

The entire time he could hear the voices of everyone calling out through his headset. Trying to confirm if they were okay and where the gunshots had come from. He forced his right hand to lift to his headset so his could finally respond. "Dragon down at position 37... Sustaining.. Multiple wounds. Losing blood.." His head was feeling dizzy. This wasn't good.

-"Dragon! What the hell happened?! Where's Prince?!"- Zechs' voice called out quickly.

Wufei wasn't eager to face the older blonde's wrath, but he had no choice in the matter. "Dove cornered us. Prince surrendered himself to protect me. I.. I don't know their present location." Having to admit that pained him more than his injuries ever could.

-"Dragon! Stay still, I'll be there as soon as I can!" Sally's voice answered soon after.

-"Dragon, was there any clue on where Dove might be taking him?"- Heero questioned, but his voice was clearly strained.

"No, but I think Prince may have some sort of plan."

There was a short pause before he could hear Heero letting out a frustrated breath. -"Understood. We'll continue with the lockdown until we've secured the entire building. Contact the backup on route and have them increase the people at the exits and road blocks. No one gets in or out of the area. Dragon, I want a full account once we reach you."-

Recognizing that tone, Wufei winced slightly. "Understood..." He lowered his hand and allowed his head to rest back on the cement floor. He could feel his blood continue to seep through the wounds in his shoulder and the flesh wounds on his left hip and calf. Trailing beneath him and pooling around him.

However his own pain didn't even register anymore. All he could focus on was the look in those sharp blue eyes and that steady voice. The threat that was so readily declared. The hands that rose in surrender far too easily.

'I've always wanted to be a bastard.'

A weak laugh left Wufei as he stared out into the darkness around him.

"You're a perfect bastard, Quatre."

Too perfect.

fjfjfjfjfjfjfjfj

TBC

Dramatic.

Later~