Woke Up One Morning... Part 6
A look to my watch tells me that I have been in this damned meeting for over five hours. My legs are sore and my head is hurting from all of the arguments being presented by politician and civilian alike speaking on behalf of their Colonies. The last of the presenters are coming up and then the debating will begin.
Of course, all of those coming forward present worthy cases of areas in need of help. Sorting out who needs the help more is the most difficult challenge. It's certainly not a job that I would want. Those poor bastards of the Assembly have their work cut out for them.
Folding my arms, I lean against the support beam behind me and fight to keep my eyes open. For the fourth time since the meeting started, I start singing 'One Hundred Bottles of Beer On the Wall,' in my head.
By the time I reach bottle ninety-two, a familiar voice asks through my ear-piece, "Still awake, Maxwell?"
Quietly chuckling, I open my eyes fully. "Perfect timing, husband-mine. And it's Yuy-Maxwell, remember," I reply after making certain that it's only his transmission that's picking me up, keeping my voice down as to not interrupt the drone of the current presenter's speech. "I was just about to nod off."
"That riveting in there?" Heero snickers.
Sighing, I look down at the room and answer, "It's no different than any other meeting like this." I raise the pitch of my voice and roll my eyes, "'We need more support to clean up the ruins left my the mobile suit attacks.' 'Our Colony's skyline is just not the same.'" With another sigh, I shake my head, "Blah, blah, blah."
Just then, Quatre's voice amplified by the microphone at his seat echoes through the room, "Most of these arguments are to repair superficial things. Many buildings that had been destroyed were already evacuated when they had been destroyed with their residents already moved into new homes. Why we were looking at things like this when there is not even a good structure for clean, running water on L2?"
My back goes rigid at the comment. Looks like the floor has been opened for the Assembly to start arguing over what three places will be the Assembly's next focus. Ever the fighter, my dear Arabian friend is not holding back any punches right out of the gates in defending my home Colony.
Heero's voice requests, "Keep the line open for me to listen in a bit?"
"Got it," I respond. My hand moves down to my transmitter to turn the frequency up for him before I lean against the railing overlooking the gathered Assembly.
Sitting up in her seat not far from Quatre's, Relena speaks into her microphone, "Agreed. There has not been anything mentioned, in any of the presentations offered today, of life-threatening crises. The living standards of L2 continue to deteriorate every day. It is time we finally stepped in and did something about it."
There's a snort as one of the Foreign ministers shakes his head, "L2 was not touched by the war in any way. If we wish to make our unity between the Earth and Colonies known, we must focus only on those places affected by it first."
His frustration showing on his face, Quatre retorts, "I believe that we should extend our unity to all of the Colonies without looking into our own political gain. We're talking about people constantly struggling to survive."
One of the female Senators raises a hand and smirks, "And you do not have your own agenda, Mister Winner and Miss Peacecraft? We all know of your friendship with Duo Maxwell- the Gundam pilot who just happens to be from L2. Would you not say that your constant push for improvements there are not for his benefit as well?"
A knot forms instantly in my throat. That was something that I had always assumed was in the minds of those Assembly members hell-bent on not helping L2. It's just... a shock to actually hear that.
Softly, Heero's voice calls in concern, "Duo? Are you alright?" Just the tone of his voice tells me he heard everything perfectly clear.
"Y-yea," I manage, not really paying attention to anything but the floor below. Sure. I'm just peachy... considering the fact I now know I'm one of reasons to why L2 may never get the help it needs.
The Assembly is primarily made up with politicians elected into power ever couple of years. Favoritism of any kind, especially when a Gundam pilot is involved, would be a serious issue for many voters.
Just as Lena or Quatre are about to respond to the Senator's comment, the Speaker clears his throat and suggests, "We should have a recess for lunch before we get into the debate over this. Let us resume in ninety minutes."
The slam from the gavel hitting the podium rings through the room and a quiet muttering from the Assembly fills the air as the group begins to filter out.
Numb from head-to-toe, I wrap around the balcony until I come to the stairs and mix in with the crowd at the nearest doors to step into the main entrance hall. Rounding a corner, I just sift my way in the opposite direction of everyone around me until I finally find myself alone.
My guard is completely thrown off when a hand suddenly tugs me into an empty room away from all other eyes and I'm pulled tightly against a strong chest.
Instantly recognizing the arms around me, I stop my initial struggling and just sag into the embrace. Biting my lip, I bury my head in my partner's shoulder as he rubs the back of my head.
"Don't you dare go blaming yourself for this," Heero's voice whispers fiercely in my ear. "You are not responsible for those bastards' personal agendas. Do you hear me?" Swallowing roughly and forcing back the tears that had been trying to fall, I just nod against his shoulder with a sniffle.
Finally under control of my emotions, I sigh and pull back. Looking into the concerned cobalt eyes watching me, I give him an embarrassed grin and mutter, "Thanks." Of course, I mean so much more than just that simple word, but the smile I get in return tells me my partner understands that.
Leaning in, Heero kisses the tip of my nose and says quietly, "Let's head to the cafeteria. I'm sure that Quatre and Relena will be worried about you after those comments that were made." As well as I know those two, I'm sure they are.
Before we have to end our only break for privacy, I give 'Ro a kiss that's too abrupt for my liking and he squeezes my shoulder as he leads the way back into the hallway. The mass of the Assembly is no longer anywhere in sight.
On our way past the elevator, the doors open to reveal Wufei and Trowa. Stepping into the open, our Latin friend smirks, "Perfect timing. We just got relieved by a couple of backup guards for lunch."
The smile fades into a slightly worried look when he reads something from Tro's face when he focuses on me and asks, "What's wrong?" Stepping up behind him, 'Fei has an equally concerned look on his face as he looks to me.
Damn, I really have to knock this 'heart on my sleeve' shit off!
Heero quickly speaks for me by commenting, "We'll discuss it when we meet up with Quatre and Relena. Not here." Satisfied with that, my 'brothers' nod and follow after us for the cafeteria at the east end of the massive building.
It's a good thing 'Ro isn't one who counts how many times I owe him for favors the way we had during the wars. By now, I'd be deep in debt to him.
* * * * * *
When we stepped into the cafeteria, Quat and Lena hurried over to me and gave quick hugs before we all found an empty table in an empty corner of the room. Once we were all seated with our meals, I quietly discussed the gist of what had happened in the meeting with Trowa and Wufei.
It didn't take long for either of them to look as frustrated as I felt.
Gripping the carton of milk, Chang growls, "If those assholes would just get their heads out of their asses, they would get over the whole public relations game and just see that L2 needs more help than any other Colony." He shoots a glare from the corner of his eye to the Assembly members sitting around the room a few feet away from us.
Relena winces and warns softly, "While I completely agree with you, Wufei, please be careful to keep your voice down. The last thing that would help the cause is if any of them were to pick up on a comment like that." A small, sheepish smile tugs our Chinese Preventer's face and he ducks a bit.
Shaking his head, Quatre throws in, "Not everything is lost to the cause. Every meeting we have over the situation, we're winning over more and more members as they look deeper into just how badly off the Colony is. Since the aid goes where the majority of the votes fall, it'll only be a matter of time before L2 gets its support."
"And let's not forget that every couple of years there is the potential for those elected into power to be tossed out with new representatives," Relena adds.
Bless our little optimists' hearts. It is nice in theory, but those who are still against changing their votes are not about to budge any time soon. And those elected into their chairs are very careful to see that they are not about to lose them. I bite my tongue to keep from sounding snide over their attempts to ease our minds.
Heero gently nudges me when there is no one looking and I turn my head to face him. Our eyes meeting, he offers me a small smile of reassurance. How the hell does he do that? How the hell does he know when I need him the most?
Unable to help myself, I smile back.
Maybe some personal issues that surround me won't ever be fixed. But, as long as I have him, everything is going to be okay. I know that now more than ever.
I... I love him. If there ever was a question in my mind as to whether I ever do love him or not, there never will be again.
The others are still enjoying their meals, not paying us any mind as I lean in and nudge Heero back. Wish to hell I could touch him more than that right now. And something in those eyes of his tells me he's thinking the same thing.
Fuck. I've fallen hard.
Looking up, Trowa shrugs, "Another thing to keep in mind-" His words are suddenly cut off when there is a deafening explosion just outside.
Knocked back out of my seat from the blast, all my vision can take in on the way down is the sight of flying glass, brick and flame just shooting overhead. Between the cries and screams filling the air in the confusion, my hearing is impaired by a loud hum from the damage my eardrums took from that deafening blast.
What the... fuck?!
The only other thought that first comes to mind is to check on Heero. Looking to my right, where he had been sitting, he's lying on his side facing me. Blood dripping from the cut at his left temple, his wide eyes meet mine. A quick observation shows me there is no other visible damage to him. Seeing how his eyes look all over me, I know that he's assessing me for any serious damage as well.
If I'm injured, there's too much adrenaline pumping through me to notice. All that I want is to get to my feet and find out what the hell just happened. Jumping up alongside my partner, I briefly note that I must not have anything broken if I was able to manage that and my hearing finally comes back.
My hand moves to the gun in its holster on my waist and I turn to see Trowa and Wufei rising with their own weapons. Quatre and Relena, a bit cut and shaken, creep up to overlook the scene. That's when I take a good look around, myself.
All around, there are people sprawled about. Where there had been a wall and windows looking outside, there is now only a hole that lets the sunlight and warm breeze in. A massive chunk of debris that had been blown in litters the floor and several members of the Assembly are moving through the piles as best they can to help those that had been trapped underneath.
What really catches my attention at the moment is the flaming remains of a what I can tell had once been a vehicle just beyond the sight of the blast. "Car bomb!" I shout, eyes narrowed as I scan the room.
His free hand resting on Quatre's shoulders, Trowa glares as he looks to Wufei. "Those guards that relieved us seemed awfully damned anxious to fill in for us," he comments. Our Chinese counterpart nods firmly with a heated look of his own.
Not needing to hear anymore, Heero and I lead the charge out of the room. From the corner of my eye before we leave, I catch sight of Quatre and Lena assisting the more injured Assembly members. Once we're in the hallway and we come to a fork just before the elevators, I stay with my partner to break right while Tro and 'Fei break left.
We never bother with the front entrance. At the end of these two halls that we've taken, there is an emergency exit.
For us, it's only common sense that if anyone on the inside was part of the car bomb they would not have tried to slip through one of the two more hidden doors. And since all of the alarms were already going off, going through an emergency door would not draw attention.
All that I am focused on is the end of the hallway that is now in sight. Suddenly, a person jumps from behind one of the door frames and fires on us.
The bullet whizzes just past my head, nicking a few of the loose wisps as it moves past. Diving for the doorways at either side of us for cover, Heero and I occasionally peek out so we can exchange fire with the man down the hall.
"It's a nine millimeter!" my partner cries as he looks over at me. Another shot from our attacker just nicks the wooden frame protecting him. Raising his free hand and holding up two fingers, he shouts, "That was six!"
Three bullets to go before the bastard has to stop and reload. At least, so long as he does not have another gun on him. But, that's the chance we're going to have to take. I nod firmly in acceptance of what 'Ro is suggesting and jump out to shoot my own pistol off.
Our 'friend' fires a two more shots before ducking back. "Eight," I growl quietly. Gotta freak the son of a bitch out into forgetting just how many shots he has. Then, Heero peers out to fire and the ninth shot rings out.
Without a seconds hesitation, we run from our shelter and bolt down the hall. I just beat 'Ro in reaching our attacker as he fumbles to slam another clip of bullets into his pistol. Raising my own so its barrel presses against his head so he freezes, I hiss, "Drop it."
There is not even a slight hesitation as a whimper leaves him and the gun slips away from his hands. Sweat running down his face, our offender raises his hands and places them on the back of his head. Holstering my gun, I remove the handcuffs at my waist and spin the prick who can't be much older than I am and slam him face-first against the wall.
"You have the right to remain silent, fucker," I grit out as I cuff him none-too-gently. "Anything you say can, and you bet your sorry ass will, be used in the court of law..."
* * * * * *
A couple of hours have now passed since the car bomb attack on the Assembly. Night's quickly falling and we're finally wrapping what clean up we need to do for evidence.
Lady Une and just about every other Preventer in the area is now on site helping where they can. Considering the attention that a hit like this will make, the Commander has done a wonderful job making sure that the media is kept at a distance.
Much to my chagrin, I am now seated in the opened back end of one of the ambulances as Sally checks me over. Not liking feeling babied, I tolerate her poking, prodding and questioning before she moves to stitch the wound on the right side of my forehead.
Normally, I would have been happy to wait to take care of that myself when I got back to headquarters... but Heero insisted that I get looked at before we left the site.
As soon as Sal was finished looking over the more injured of the victims that she could help without their needing to be rushed to a hospital right away, my husband all but dragged me to see her. I only relented when he agreed to be looked after, too.
Pulling back when she cuts away the end of her dissolvable thread, Sally smiles, "All set." She looks back over her shoulder and smirks at my partner, "Your turn."
Heero uncrosses his arms and lets out a long-suffering sigh as he moves to take my seat while removing the bandage he'd placed on the left side of his face to stop the bleeding from his own gash.
I lean back against the wall where he had been standing and observe with an amused smirk on my face. That husband of mine really can be damned cute when he sulks.
Snickering, Sally shakes her head, "You two are just like a cute married couple! Always standing by each other, even in sickness and in health." Both my head and Heero's fall back as we laugh hysterically at the comment.
Oh, she has no idea just how right she is.
TBC...
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