Him to Die Part 10
"Nearly time." Trowa glanced up from his watch. "Are you sure-"
"Yes." Heero double-checked his equipment. "After all- isn't this what they asked for?"
Trowa smiled. "Well, yes- but I'm fairly sure they won't be expecting you. You'll go in- we'll follow- it should be easy."
"That's the idea." Heero managed a smile in return and checked his own watch. "Time. I'm heading out."
"We've got you covered."
Heero took a deep breath and moved out onto the street. The modest-looking warehouse across the way didn't look like a den of terrorists, but then that was probably the point. The signs said it was a shipping business- a rather good cover, really.
Walking briskly, he moved across the street and up the walk to the front door. There were a few cameras along the walls- he wondered if his presence had been noted.
Pushing open the door he walked in and found himself in front of a counter. A young woman was seated at a desk, her head bent over a laptop.
Maybe no one was watching the cameras?
Or maybe this was the wrong place- despite all their careful recon?
"Excuse me," he said and the woman's head snapped up. "I'm looking for the Pride of-"
That was as far as he got before she moved.
He leaped over the counter, but she was faster, pushing herself away from the desk and running towards a door on the back wall.
She slammed her hand against the intercom beside it, shrieking: "PILOT 01! HE'S HERE!" before dashing through the door.
Heero chased after her. So much for this being easy...
~*~
Duo's eyes narrowed. "All three of them?" He asked as he watched the people enter Une's office through the one-way glass.
"Don't think so," Quatre shook his head. "But we couldn't just take the two of them without her- it would look suspicious. They think they're here to discuss security for an upcoming summit."
Duo could hear Une's voice. "...I do have to apologize for the extra number of guards- but something has come up."
"Something regarding me?" Relena sounded concerned as she took a seat on the couch.
"Not exactly," Une replied. "It's a terrorist organization- I'm sure you've seen the news? Demanding Heero Yuy?"
"I've seen it, yes," Relena said and Duo caught the quaver in her voice. "Has he returned? Is there danger?"
"I don't think so. We have the base under surveillance and the leaders in our possession."
Une looked towards the glass and nodded slightly.
"That's our cue." Quatre tugged Duo's arm. "Let's go."
"The leaders in your possession?" They heard Zechs drawl as they entered the room quietly. "Such efficiency! I don't suppose you got that L2 pilot back in one piece though- I saw the news-"
"You wouldn't think so, would you?" Duo said cheerfully and watched as Zechs spun on his heel, all the color draining from his face. Dorothy, seated beside Relena, frowned, her eyes narrowing as she studied Duo.
"Duo!" Relena got to her feet, holding her hands out to him. "However did you escape? Are you all right?"
"Perfectly fine." He took her hands for a brief moment. "The idiots hired the wrong man to take me captive." He looked past her at Zechs. "A little terrorist group by the name of The Pride of White Fang- ever heard of them?"
"No, can't say that I have-" Zechs started and Quatre smiled.
"Truly? Then you would no doubt be surprised to find out that we've traced some rather large donations to the group- donations from you?"
Relena turned on her brother, eyes widening. "Millardo?"
He gave her a scornful smile. "You did say you wanted Yuy back, didn't you?"
Dropping back onto the sofa, Relena shook her head. "You didn't-"
"Not that he showed up, the coward-"
"On the contrary," Duo corrected him, "he's been in it from the first. He's the one that was hired to kidnap me. You really shouldn't use such anonymous services- never can tell who is on the other end."
Dorothy snorted as Zechs turned pale again. "Idiot."
Quatre smiled at her. "That's the only thing you have to add?"
She shrugged gracefully. "Innocent until proven- and I won't say more without my lawyer."
Une made a gesture and the Preventers surrounded Dorothy and Zechs, leading them out of the room.
Relena was still sitting on the sofa, shaking her head. "He said he could find Heero for me- but I didn't- I truly didn't know-!"
Duo looked at Quatre questioningly. Quatre shrugged and Duo sat down beside Relena on the sofa.
"I'm sure you didn't," he said gently. "But all the same- can you answer a few questions-?"
~*~
Duo found Quatre out in the hall, phone up to his ear. "How did it go?" Quatre asked and Duo sighed.
"I turned her over to Une. How are things going up there?"
"Rashid says Heero entered the building first- trying to shake them up a little-"
"What?"
Quatre frowned at him. "Relax- the others were right behind. I guess an alarm got set off and now they are having to go through the building a section at a time to get it cleared. The area is cordoned off- they have quite a few of them in custody already- there's just one more space to go-"
"Heero's okay?"
"Last I heard-" Quatre paused and Duo could hear the voice on the other end- not the words- but the tone- loud and alarmed.
"What's-"
There was a very faint boom! on the other end of the line and Quatre's eyes widened. "I think something blew up-"
Duo turned and ran for the elevators. Hell if he was staying here any longer-!!
~*~
Heero blinked. Everything was pretty bright. Course... that only made sense really- he remembered a bright light- though that one had been red and orange- not this whitish glow.
He blinked again.
Ah. A ceiling. Okay, that made sense. So he was inside someplace. Not the lab- that ceiling had been gray. So where...?
Another blink.
"Heero?" A face appeared in his vision. A familiar face. "Heero? You awake?"
Duo.
He opened his lips, but his mouth was so dry- Duo seemed to understand. A straw tapped his lips and he drank gratefully. "What happened?"
Duo sighed. "You nearly got blown up. What is it with you and explosions? Seriously."
Explosions? What? Oh hell- the raid! Heero half sat up. "Did the raid-?"
"Went fine. You're the only one hurt- of course. Everyone is accounted for- the Pride is locked up. We got Zechs and Dorothy in too- she's giving evidence against him- surprise, surprise."
Heero relaxed back against the pillows. It was over then. Duo was safe.
"Good."
The straw tapped his lip. "No, not good. You promised me you wouldn't be a target."
"I wasn't," Heero protested. "I walked in and they all started screaming and running around."
Rolling his eyes, Duo tapped the straw against Heero's lip again. "So I heard. Still- I'm not letting you do that again."
Heero sipped obediently. "You aren't?"
"Hell no. I'm the senior partner here and I call the shots. When we go out on jobs, you're going to have to listen to me-"
"What- what are you talking about?"
Duo put down the cup and leaned close. "You're joining me in my business. I know it's not as exciting as living on the run, hiding in underground labs and all, but it's a damn sight safer."
"But-"
"No buts, I already filed the paperwork to get your license- and told my accountant to add you to the payroll."
Heero blinked, dazed. "How long have I been out?"
"Twelve hours."
"And you did all that?"
Duo grinned. "You didn't think I was going to let you get away so easily now? I mean, sure, I could've knocked you over the head and carried you off, but you already have one hell of a concussion." He leaned closer. "Though, I warn you- if you say no- I'll do it anyway. So, what do you say, partner?"
"When do I start?"
OWARI
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