Gundam Wing: The First Chapter Part 18
Gazing up to the main screen in the front Peacemillion's control room, Quatre and Duo stood besides each other as they watched the visual of Wing Zero flying off for the Colony captured by OZ. It didn't take long for them to realize why Trowa had flown off alone when they heard of his disappearance. Both pilots recognized Catherine when they studied the visual of the prisoners that had been gathered.
While they understood and sympathized with their friend's concern for the girl, what Trowa had done was putting himself and others at risk. "He's really gone overboard," Duo groaned as his violet eyes narrowed slightly.
Turning to the braided pilot, Quatre frowned in concern, "Let's follow him. Wing Zero is too dangerous in his state."
Until that moment, the American had forgotten about Trowa's condition. Suddenly, the situation became even more dangerous. Inwardly cringing in that realization, Duo looked back at his blond friend and replied, "Right."
Wufei stayed behind, leaning against the wall beside the door with his arms crossed and eyes closed as Duo and Quatre floated from the room. Unseen by anyone else, the Chinese pilot smirked to himself. Barely cracking his eyes opened, his gaze fell on Heero as the Japanese pilot watched the large screen ahead of them.
* * * * * *
Having fought off nearly every one of OZ's Taurus suits guarding the seized Colony, Trowa was taken and locked in the grips of the Zero system. Inside the glowing cockpit of Wing, the tall pilot panted as he soared the Gundam through the battlefield, wiping out each enemy he met.
Finally, Wing Zero gave pause as the last of the Taurus suits flew right before the Colony, preparing to fire. Not thinking of anything but destroying his foe, Trowa's eyes narrowed when his scanner locked on the target. Not concerned with anything else, the Colony was forgotten. Only his enemy remained. The very Colony he worked to defend meant nothing as it faded into the background behind the OZ mobile suit. Pulling back on his controls, Trowa prepared to fire the Buster Riffle as golden sparks lit at the end of the gun's barrel. One shot and his foe woud be destroyed... One shot and the Colony would be no more.
From the distance, a familiar voice shouted, "Don't do it, Trowa!" Flying down towards the Taurus, Sand Rock fired a shot from overhead. On impact, the OZ mobile suit exploded without harming the Colony.
His fierce eyes narrowed, Trowa glared on the other Gundam as it flew where the Taurus had once been. Focusing on his new target, he kept the Buster Riffle aimed and ready to fire. Desperate, Quatre called to his friend, "Open your eyes, Trowa! The person you have to protect lives there!" The Arabian kept his place between the Colony and Wing Zero. Finding his voice again, the Arabian yelled, "You were the one that corrected the mistake that I made! I can't let you make that same mistake!"
There was a pause as the two Gundams faced each other. "Don't let the Zero control you," Quatre cried at last. "You're too strong to let that happen!"
Gasping sharply, Trowa's eyes widened in sudden awareness. Suddenly, the Zero system began to grow as the cockpit grew even brighter with its strange being increasing in speed and volume. With another gasp, the tall pilot stiffened as his head almost fell back with a loud cry of pain escaping him. Both hands on either side of his helmet, his eyes were squeezed closed as his body was wracked in agony. Doubling forward as groaned and panted loudly, his eyes opened widely as he repeated in a strained voice, "The person... I want to protect... lives there."
Suddenly, Trowa's mind filled with flashes of images forgotten. Panting as the brief glimpses of his past ran through his mind, the world around him disappeared. The sight of Wing Zero firing was followed by a brief vision in the trailer as Heero sat in bed, bandaged and healing after he self-detonated. Trowa saw the fury in Catherine's eyes as she punched him in his own cockpit following his display of Heavy Arms at the OZ base where they performed. Quatre's smile filled his sight when as the blonde pilot stood on the platform of his opened cockpit when they met.
Taking a deep breath, Trowa recalled more recent events, tying them together to fit the mission pieces that he had lost. Everything became more cleat in a matter of heartbeats. Closing his eyes, he saw the Wing pilot before him. The Japanese pilot's eyes were closed as he stood naked before the other pilot. His eyes widening, the Latin pilot gasped, "Heero?"
Without opening his eyes, Heero wrapped his arms around his bare waist and said softly, "There is someone else. I didn't realize it until now." Recalling those same words uttered from the Wing pilot the night before in Heero's room, Trowa blinked in shock. Turning to meet those confused green eyes, the Japanese boy said quietly, "It's only right that I let you know who they are."
Suddenly, there was a bright flash that briefly blinded Trowa. When he opened his shielded eyes, he gasped in shock as a brick wall blasted open before him. When the dust cleared, he recognized the black-clad figure standing in the large whole. A parachute over his shoulder, Duo raised his head and opened his violet eyes as he smiled, "Time to liven things up, buddy."
The image changed to a vision of the large ship where the American brought Heero to safety following their escape from the hospital. Duo, with his eyes narrowed as he stood in his gray, night T-shirt and black mesh shorts with his hands on his hips. Glaring up to Wing Zero as the sounds of the Japanese pilot at work filled the air, Duo yelled, "Goddamn it, people are trying to sleep! Your Gundam isn't going anywhere!" Shaking his head, he sighed loudly, "Christ, you're worse than an overprotective mother hen!"
Again, the scene shifted. Duo stood before the tall pilot dressed in his uniform with a folder and two books carried under his right arm. He turned to meet Trowa's gaze as he looked back over his shoulder. Duo's violet pools shined as he smiled brightly, "Thank God for the weekend, ne!?" His smile made a mischievous smirk as he chuckled, "And don't think I've forgotten our unsettled match, Heero. Race 'ya to the basketball court!" At that, the American laughed and cheered as he ran through the courtyard of the boarding school where he and the Japanese boy had been hiding themselves.
"Heero... these are his memories," Trowa gasped softly, his green eyes widening. As everything around him shifted again, he whispered, "I'm seeing everything through his own eyes."
When his surroundings solidified, he found himself in a dorm room. Trowa watched as Duo rose from his bed, his long hair pulled back in a low ponytail. Wearing a loose, white T-shirt with sleeping boxers, Duo slowly made his way towards the other boy across the room, smiling. In a soft, sultry voice, he spoke, "Everyone needs to be touched, Heero...." Stopping before Trowa, he reached forward and said softly, "Just trust me."
In the next instant, Duo was sitting on the edge of his own bed again. Only a matter of seconds must have taken place between the two memories as Duo's attire never changed. However, the long-haired pilot's left cheek was colored by a dark bruise that had begun to swell. Panting without knowing why, Trowa cast a quick glance down to see a pistol in his hands aimed at his comrade. His hands held onto the gun firmly as he looked back up to see that there was no fear in those violet eyes.
"Go ahead and kill me if that would make you feel better," Duo said without resolve. Paying no mind to the gun aimed at him, he stated, "Death has been a part of me since I was a child. For most of my life, death was all that I ever knew. I don't have any reason to be afraid of it." Trowa blinked in shock at those words as the world around him began to fade again.
Finding himself in the same dorm room, the Latin pilot turned to see Duo dressed in his uniform again. His bruised cheek had begun to heal as he held up a white box wrapped with a decorative ribbon. Smiling widely, the braided teenager shrugged, "I know that you said stress isn't something that you let get to you very often, but I figured I would get you something in case it catches up with you."
Looking down to his hands, Trowa's eyes widened in shock. To his amazement, he held a tall, ceramic house secured on a round, white porcelain base. Along the edge of the base, an olive vine was carefully painted as it wrapped around the sides delicately. In the side of the base, there was a small, gold key. The craftsmanship of the house was beautiful and very well detailed right down to the designs in the `wood.' There were several smiling figures of people standing with their hands joined in pairs.
It was the first time that Trowa saw the familiar trinket intact. 'I-I don't believe it,' he whispered in disbelief. Gingerly, he ran the fingers of his right hand over the roof of the small house.
As he continued to stare at the cottage, the tall pilot could hear Duo's smiling voice explain gently, "It's not a real home, but I thought it was better than nothing." Biting his bottom lip, Trowa could imagine the swirl of emotions running through Heero when he was given such a heartfelt gift. Taking a shuddery breath, he could feel tears threatening to build in his emerald eyes.
Looking up into the white light surrounding him, Trowa whispered, "Duo..." Lowering his head, he saw the remains of the small ceramic house after Heero self-destructed. "Another memory," he commented to himself. Feeling everything around him shifting again, he asked aloud, "Another memory. Where am I being taken now?"
In a dark cell, Trowa saw Duo lying on his stomach, a band-aid over the bridge of his nose as he slept. His face was dirty and bruised following his capture. Gazing on his silent friend, the tall youth gave a small smirk. "So it was you all along," he said quietly. To his silent surprise, a small smile spilled over the braided pilot's lips in his sleep. Trowa shook his head and chuckled, "I should have known all along, what with the way he would look at you when you weren't looking."
There was a brief flash that he had to shield his eyes against. As his vision returned slowly, he heard Duo's concerned voice whisper, "Heero, I-" When he looked up, the Latin youth found himself in a new dorm room. The American was sitting on the windowsill overlooking the large city below them. Dressed in a long, pale green shirt, Duo had one arm draped over his stomach as he struggled to sit up straight with his injuries.
Seeing the genuine worry for the Wing pilot and his frustration at not being able to help, Trowa felt a pang of guilt for his friend. He knew that this was just before Heero left for the Lunar Base. It was evident in those violet eyes that he wanted to confess something that he just couldn't sum the courage for. Instead of saying what Trowa knew he was aching to say, Duo smiled sadly, "Don't overdo it out there, alright?"
Darkness surrounded Trowa as he turned to the changing images. The world around him remained dark. A cell. He could feel the cold metal locking his wrists together. Looking up at him and peering into his eyes, Duo's dirt-smudged face smiled warmly, "You don't have to look far if you ever need anything." Even in the darkness, his amethyst eyes sparkled. Softly, he whispered, "I'll always here for you... Heero."
Closing his eyes again, Trowa saw Heero standing before him again. His arms folded and eyed closed, the nude form of the Wing pilot turned his back to the other boy again as he disappeared. With a sharp gasp and wide eyes, Trowa found himself in Wing Zero's cockpit again. What seemed to be hours was no more than seconds. Panting heavily with sweat running from his forehead, he remained doubled over as everything came rushing back to him. He recalled Quatre coming to his aid and protecting the Colony. And now he knew what he needed to do.
Slowly, he calmed his breathing as a small smile fell on his lips. Closing his eyes, he said quietly, "Thank you, Heero. I see everything more clearly now." Taking a deep breath, he worked on controlling his labored breathing as that became the only sound in his still cockpit.
"Trowa!?" Quatre's concerned voice called over the receiver. "Trowa, are you alright!?" There was no response. Leaning forward in his own cockpit, the Arabian cried, "Trowa!?"
Finally, the tall pilot's voice replied, "You're right, Quatre." The blonde boy's eyes widened as he gasped softly. Lifting his shaking right hand to the controls, Trowa shakily pushed himself to sit up. Grunting and breathing in shuddered breaths with effort, he kept his head lowered as he continued, "Yea. We have people we both want to protect, just as you said."
Almost afraid to trust his ears, Quatre's jaw was slack and eyes wide as he responded in shock, "Trowa... your memory... It's back!" A wide, relieved smile lit his face as small tears filled his aquamarine eyes. Finally, the nightmares from his mistake were over.
"Let's go," Trowa chimed in. "Catherine's waiting for us." Sitting back in his seat, Quatre gripped his controls with renewed assurance. Not far from them, Duo took out the last of OZ's resistance before making his way to their intended destination. Together, Wing Zero and Sandrock followed Deathscythe's lead for the Colony.
Back on Peacemillion, Sally watched the attack on the main screen in the control room. Witnessing the three Gundams entering the Colony, she smiled widely and breathed widely, "That's half the battle. They shouldn't have any problem holding off the land troops stationed there. That just leaves Libra as our main concern."
Heero leaned his back against the wall behind her. His arms folded and eyes closed, the Japanese boy's face was expressionless as he stated, "If any of the others communicate with us, we need to let them know that the Colony is not Libra's target. It never was Zechs' intention to wipe it out in the first place."
Fear filled the braided woman's eyes as she paled at the thought. Turning back to face the young pilot, she asked, "You think that this was a set up?"
Never looking up to meet her eyes, Heero shrugged, "It was set up perfectly. Libra now has a clearance to show just what their main cannon is capable of."
Sally's eyes widened as behind her, Duo's image appeared in the monitors of the control room. The bright smile on the American's face was enough for those present to know that he was about to announce their successful liberation of the Colony.
Unknown to him at the time, Duo would come to know that happiness was to only be short-lived.
* * * * * *
Preparing themselves for the attack on Jeffrey Dalton and his Assembly, Kumi and Sette had hidden themselves on one of the Colonies that they had freed from OZ's command. Acting as common civilians in one of the busier cities, it was the safest place for the time being. Anyone after them would have expected the Gundam pilots to be on one of the ships patrolling the secured Colonies, not in a highly populated city where they had no direct access to their suits.
As they walked from their apartment complex and to their Buick Skylark, Sette smiled, "Who would have thought going to the store could be so exciting? I mean, I love hanging out on Quason. It's a great ship for our needs. But, It's been a long time since I was able to do something as simple as food shopping. This is a nice break, even if it is a short one."
The silver-haired pilot opened the driver's side and reminded her comrade, "We're here to gather any more information that we can before we hit the Assembly. Don't forget that we're here to work."
Rolling her eyes, the tomboy walked to the passenger seat door and replied, "Yea, yea, I know. Just for a moment, I just want to forget that there's a war going on around us, if that isn't too much." At that moment, she looked over to notice that Kumi never got into the car.
The Japanese pilot stood behind her open door, looking out ahead pack the parking lot with intent cobalt eyes. A chill ran up Sette's back at the sight of her friend. It was the look a wild animal had when it sensed it was in danger. Blinking her wide eyes, the princess asked, "Kumi? What is it?"
Without taking her eyes from the intersection beyond the parking lot, the other girl answered quietly, "The streets are empty."
"Huh!?" the tomboy gasped as she looked back to the intersection with wide eyes. For the first time in a near week that they had arrived to this city, there was not another car or person in sight. The soft breeze blowing their loose clothes and hair was the only sound. "What's going on around here?" Sette asked quietly as she paled.
As if to answer her, the horrified and shocked shouting of a large crowd reached filled the air. Instantly, Kumi and Sette slammed their doors closed and ran down the blocks ahead of them to the center of the city. Halting to an abrupt stop, the two young pilots panted as they found the source of the distraught cries. All around them, people were standing outside of their cars, in the streets, or watching from their office windows as they looked up to the large screen atop one of the large buildings before them. Looking up along with the massive gathering of civilians, both girls gasped with wide eyes as they watched the large screen overhead.
* * * * * *
All over the world and throughout the Colonies, everyone watched every screen and monitor near them as a Libra fired on the Earth. A massive, blue beam shot straight for the globe and made its mark. Slicing and cutting into a deserted and rocky stretch of land, the beam ripped away a huge crater as a whirlwind of dirt and debris rose of for miles.
In his seat in the observation and control room, Zechs watched the attack without any emotion betrayed in his eyes. Seeing that his sister's ship was safe as it floated just beyond the reach of the glowing shot fired from Libra, he sighed inwardly in relief. Lifting his right hand, he ordered flatly, "That's enough." On his command, the crew slowly shut down the cannon.
The devastating blow left a massive crater behind when it finally faded. What was left behind was the true intent behind Zechs' attack... to demonstrate just how much power he had. And he also proved that he was not afraid to use that power. He was by far the most dangerous man in the universe.
* * * * * *
Staring up at the image of the crater left behind in the Earth's surface, Kumi and Sette's eyes were wide in shock and disbelief along with the hundreds of people around them. Some of those gathered began shouting and talking amongst themselves nervously.
The names Libra and White Fang came up in some of the discussions taking place. Both Gundam pilots had known of the cannon and the band of rebels through reports sent to them from intelligence keeping them updated on the war being fought on the other side of the galaxy. Those were names that both girls hoped never to hear of again. Now, they knew just what the others were up against.
Finding her voice at last, Sette whispered breathlessly, "M-my God... Tell me that didn't really happen." She turned to her silver-haired comrade with desperation in her voice as she pleaded with clenched fists, "Kumi, what the hell is going on over there? If those guys can't stop that cannon, even if we win the war on this side of Space, it won't mean anything if the Earth isn't protected. The White Fang is no better than OZ."
Kumi's wide eyes remained on the screen above them as she shook her head and answered quietly, "I don't know what's going on, Sette." Looking back at her comrade, she retained her expressionless expression as she stated flatly, "We better get to our suits and return to Quason."
Sette made no objection as she nodded and followed the Japanese pilot as they ran through the crowd.
* * * * * *
"The target of Libra's main cannon was never really that Colony in the first place," Heero's voice echoed through Duo's mind as he watched the large screen displayed over the city that he helped free from OZ's grips. Alongside Sandrock and Wing Zero as he watched the result of Libra's attack on the Earth, he shuddered in his seat. Trowa and Quatre watched along with their braided friend in their own cockpits. Those people freed from their captivity watched the screen above them in shock as they stood in horrified silence.
This wasn't supposed to happen. Everything was supposed to be fine when they removed the OZ soldiers. When Duo reported their successful liberation of the Colony, that was supposed to be the end of it. They would return to Peacemillion and Libra would find another target that they would protect when the time came.
Instead, Libra used its main cannon to wipe out miles of land from the Earth in one shot. Duo silently cursed his foolishness for not seeing this sooner. Heero had known that there was more to Zech's plan that to take out the Colony. Duo had fallen right into White Fang's trap. As he continued to watch the displayed remains of the Earth that had been struck. Even still Heero's words rang through his head. "The target of Libra's main cannon was never really that Colony in the first place."
Withdrawing his held breath in a deep sigh, the braided pilot washed his face with his hands before lowering then into his lap. Turning to the image of the two suits lined to his left, he said grimly, "There's no turning back now."
His own shock finally subsiding, Quatre felt his silent hopes that he was in a nightmare fade. Sitting back in his chair, he frowned, "Maybe we are powerless against him."
"Perhaps," Trowa's replied simply, his head lowered and eyes closed as he allowed his own thoughts to process everything. When he opened his eyes, they widened as he looked to his main monitor. Catherine had run from the crowd to stand before the three Gundams.
Catherine's eyes were not filled with the disgust that she once held for the infamous suits as she looked up at them. Instead, there was only awe and she thought to herself, 'I believe in you. And I'm sure you people understand. Please, don't allow these miserable wars to exist.' The sun broke through the through the clouds as it shown on her as a gentle breeze played with red her hair. 'Please... build a peaceful world for all of us.' Slowly, she gave a small, warm smile up to the three pilots.
Smiling at the displayed image of the redhead, Trowa gave a firm nod before suggesting to the others, "We better head back." Giving their affirmative responses, Duo and Quatre took their suits to the skies with Trowa right behind.
Catherine smiled brightly as the exhaust from the engines caused a brief gust around her. Gazing to the heavens, she watched the three Gundams fade from her sight in their departure. At the light glimpse of them, she whispered, "Good luck... all of you."
* * * * * *
Duo jumped from Deathscythe's cockpit and floated to the floor of Peacemillion's ninth hanger as he sighed deeply. Taking a deep breath, he raised his head and yelled, "Honey, I'm hooooome!"
Behind him, Quatre chuckled softly while Trowa smirked and shook his head, both relieved for the bit of humor after what they witnessed. Undoing the front zipper at the front of his space suit, the Arabian turned and walked through the hanger doors.
When the doors closed behind the blonde pilot, Trowa took a step towards the braided pilot as he said quietly, "Duo." The American glanced back over his shoulder with confusion in his violet eyes as his lips parted. Walking towards his comrade, the tall pilot spoke first as he began, "Don't be mad at Heero for what happened between us by avoiding him. I'm the one to blame for what took place, not him."
It was clear that Duo never expected that as his eyes widened in shock. Quickly turning to face the other boy as he all but shouted, "What!?"
Meeting his friend's gaze, Trowa continued, "I could stand here and make excuses, blame my amnesia for what I did." He shook his head, "But, in doing that, I would be lying to you."
Struck speechless, Duo stood frozen with his eyes as wide as they allowed while Trowa turned his head away. Closing his eyes, the Latin pilot sighed, "I have to admit that I wish he did want me that way, but he made it pretty clear that he doesn't and he never did. You were right in saying that I wanted to use him. I forced myself on him when he tried to make me stop. What I did was inexcusable." At that, he met the wide violet pools watching him.
Taking a deep breath, Trowa gave a firm nod and said sincerely, "I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for what I did. And Heero is lucky to have you looking out for him." Duo's lips moved but he couldn't find his voice.
Smirking at the sight of the stunned boy, Trowa walked past him as he concluded, "I have a piece of advice. I would let him know that you're still looking out for him even after what happened, if I were you. I have a feeling he needs that reassurance." Finally, Duo's eyes blinked without shrinking any as he watched the Latin pilot walk from the hanger.
* * * * * *
Walking through the halls of the large ship after leaving the hanger, Trowa found the Wing pilot leaning against a wall with his arms folded behind his arms. Heero watched the other pilot walking towards him as he said in his normal, flat tone, "So your memory is back." It was more a statement than a question.
Chuckling, Trowa nodded, "As dangerous as that Zero System is, I have it to thank for bringing me back." Pausing before the Japanese boy, he smirked, "Actually, I got a chance to see more than I think was intended."
For a brief second, confusion swirled in Heero's cobalt depths before he clouded it over. Trowa took a moment before frowning, "I have to apologize to you, as well, for what happened between us. I never should have forced you into something that you didn't want." Taking a deep breath, the Wing pilot simply gave a firm nod of acceptance for the sincere apology.
Taking one step closer to his friend, Trowa said quietly, "And just between us, I think it's only fair for that 'someone else' that you mentioned to know how you feel. They understand you more than anyone you've ever come to know." Taken back by that statement, Heero's mask slipped for a moment as his lips parted and his eyes widened. Smiling, Trowa shrugged, "As jealous as I am of that person, I can't take that away from them. No one could... And I have a feeling that you've known that all along. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so important to you."
Before Heero could say anything, Trowa made his way down the hall, waving once before departing. Frowning to himself as he watched the other pilot walked off, Heero took a deep breath as he considered the advice given to him.
* * * * * *
Later that day, Duo searched Peacemillion's hallways. Clothed back in his priest outfit, he bit his lip nervously as he scanned his surroundings. Suddenly, he froze in his footsteps as his eyes filled with nervousness. Leaning against one of the large windows that oversaw the stars was the reason for his hunt. Heero stood with his arms crossed, his head lowered and eyes closed in deep thought. Biting his bottom lip, the American took a deep breath. Letting out a soft sigh, he walked towards his partner.
Standing beside the Wing pilot, Duo folded his arms behind his back as he leaned himself against the glass and closed his own eyes. For a moment, the two boys stood in silence, never acknowledging each other as they waited. Slowly, Heero finally opened his cobalt orbs as he peered at the braided youth out of the corner of his eye.
With the silence smothering him, Duo looked before him at nothing in particular and brought a hand up to run his fingers nervously through his bangs. Quietly, he began, "I-I... well... you see..." Cursing himself, he looked to the ground sighed deeply, "I'm sorry that I've been avoiding you, man. I was furious and I treated you like shit."
Looking over at the American, Heero commented, "So you've decided to talk to me again. I'm surprised after how childishly you've been acting since that night."
Turning his head to glare at the Wing pilot, Duo shouted, "Oh come on! Look, I know what I did was wrong!" Pushing himself from the glass, he yelled, "You have no idea how hard this is for me... do you? I mean it, I'm sorry for what I did." His eyes narrowed as he pointed at Heero, he continued to holler, "Besides, I didn't exactly see you making any attempt to talk to me since that night, either!"
Heero's eyes and voice remained calm as he watched his partner and replied, "You're right." Two simple words and yet so much weight to them. Duo's anger cooled instantly as he blinked in shock.
Releasing a sigh of relief from the pent of tension, the braided pilot fell back to lean against the glass again. After a brief pause, he began softly, "Heero..." The Japanese pilot peered from the corner of his eye again, his arms still folded over his chest. Unable to meet his friend's gaze, Duo started forward as he hesitantly asked, "That night... with Trowa, did it..."
"Did I enjoy it?" Heero finished for him. Blushing brightly, Duo faced him as he but his lip and nodded. The Wing pilot shrugged, "I don't see how that would mattered."
Narrowing his eyes, Duo shouted, "Oh, I'm not asking for details! And it matters a lot more than you realize!" Seeing the shock in Heero's wide eyes, Duo looked away quickly as he frowned sadly. Brushing beck his bangs, he closed his eyes explained in a pained voice, "I feel like I've let you down. Someone tried to use you and I wasn't there to look out for you."
Turning his head away, Heero sighed softly, "Duo... You didn't let me down. You prevented much worse from happening." Shaking his head, he continued, "Besides, I told you before that I'm not worth worrying over. Why do you insist on looking out for me? I don't plan on making it alive through this war." Gasping sharply, the braided pilot's eyes widened. Staring ahead of them, Heero shrugged, "I don't want to live past it. Fighting is all that I know of. It's what I was trained for. When the war is over, I'll be useless. I don't now how to live outside of this life."
"H-Heero..." Duo whispered brokenly as he watched his friend with wide, saddened eyes. "Y-you don't really believe that do you?" he asked softly.
Looking up to meet those sad violets, Heero frowned, "Of course I do. I know what I am and what I'm not. And I know I'm not what you've been making me out to be." His cobalt eyes narrowed as he questioned, "Give me a good reason why I should believe that there is more to me than what I was taught and trained all my life. Can you give me even one?"
Sighing deeply, Duo leaned back against the glass and up to the ceiling, taking a moment to find the right way to respond. Finally, still looking above, he smirked, "I can do better than just one. I can think of four good reasons."
Blinking in surprise at that, Heero watched his partner in curiosity as he asked, "What four reasons would they be?"
With a warm smile, Duo looked into Heero's surprised eyes as he answered, "The four guys that have been fighting the same war for the same reasons you have since we landed on Earth with our Gundams." His deep blue eyes widening, the Wing pilot remained silent as he allowed the other boy to explain.
Duo's smile grew as he shrugged, "If any one of us thought that your life was a waste or that you didn't deserve a chance at life, we wouldn't be looking out for you the way that we have. You're treated as our equal, nothing more and nothing less. The others see you as a friend, more like a brother in a lot of ways."
Frowning in thought, Heero lowered his head as he considered his comrade's words. Turning his head to his friend, the American reminded him, "The others have all done more than their share in protecting you when they could. So, you have more than one reason why you should believe that there is more to you than what you see. What you were trained and what you were taught holds pretty little weight then you really think about it."
Having spoken his piece, Duo pushed himself from the glass and smiled sadly, "If I didn't think that you were worth the effort of looking after, I wouldn't have risked my neck getting you out of that hospital. I don't do that for just anyone. Just promise me you'll remember that before you try to self-destruct again, okay?" At that, he winked and walked off.
Slowly raising his head, Heero watched as Duo walked off. Faintly, he whispered to his back, "I promise."
* * * * * *
Hilde looked down at the small disk gripped tightly in her hand. Having retrieved the small memory card from Libra's control room, she took a shuddery breath and whispered to herself, "Well... no turning back now."
TBC...
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