pairings: overall- 5x4, 3+4, 1+2 [implied], and others. this part- wishful 3+4, remembered 1+2 notes: <<.....>> = flashback // italics // = inner thoughts warnings: Yaoi *ANGST* Death Violence Language

{ PIECES } part four

Trowa was apprehensive. That was the only way to describe it. He was sitting through his last class of the day, urging it to end. He was excited that he was going to see Quatre in only two days time, yet nervous as hell about the second part of their mission. Part one had been relatively easy. They had signed up as new recruits at an OZ training facility. The first part was to get detailed information on the training regiment. What the pilots were taught, what mobile suits they trained in, their tactics, and strategies. Basically to learn the enemy's scheme from the inside, to use it against them later. Part two, however, was harder. It was rumored that on this base were the plans and prototype for OZ's latest mobile doll. They had taken various designs from the Gundams. The rumored mecha was said to have a beam cannon like Wing Zero, was undetectable like Deathscythe, and had the firepower of HeavyArms. If this machine was mass produced OZ could wipe out anything it wanted. Part two required retrieving the plans from the base's main computer, and then blowing the place sky-high. Unfortunately, the building all this was located in was maximum security. No one was admitted without the proper key codes. They had researched all the possible alternate ways to recover the information, but none were feasible. There was no way for anyone to get in, get the data, and get out. Even if it was only one of them, and the other was using his Gundam as a distraction. So Trowa and Heero had joined the school. It was easy for them, this was the elite pilot institution. The best of the best, the "top guns" if you will. They still far excelled the best pilot, but they stuck out less in a place where everyone was supposed to be incredible. Their skill had let them quickly work their way up in the ranks, and now they both had key codes. Another reason they had to infiltrate instead of openly attacking was time. The computer was deep inside the building, and downloading the materials would take a few minutes. No amount of hacking could break into it, it was so heavily encoded. They needed adequate time to get there, do it, and get out. And tomorrow was that time. Finally, after almost three months their mission would be over and he'd get to see Quatre. It used to be mission first, last, and in between. But somewhere in the middle it had changed, to get the mission over with and get back to the blue eyed boy was his goal. Just to see him, smell him, be near to him. It felt like it had been forever. Especially since the night he'd had that unnerving vision. After that the days seemed to drag by. Although the separation wasn't uncommon. It was more rare for them to be together. Usually at least one of them had a solo mission, sometimes they all did. Or they were fighting in different areas halfway across the universe. Occasionally two of them got paired up on a particularly challenging or dangerous mission. It was a spontaneous life. No one knew where they'd be from one day to the next. Trowa sighed to himself. //Just to see Quatre. To sit in the same room with him would be enough. To be assured that he's safe.// Trowa knew he shouldn't worry. The blonde had proved beyond doubt his abilities in combat. But the green eyed boy knew that if anything ever happened to Quatre, he'd lose a part of himself. The one piece that mattered. He only let his guard down around one person. And that same individual was the only to see his inner feelings, the emotions that unwilling slipped out when he was around. A slight smile here, or a comforting shoulder there. A few notes on his flute. These were small gestures on his part, but he knew that Quatre treasured them for the precious gifts they were. He vowed to let his guard down a little more when Quatre was around. Quatre would never use it against him. Besides, every time he even half smiled the little blonde smiled so wide he was practically beaming. His whole face seemed to light up. Trowa wanted to see that glow. That bright, shining smile he got in response to his meager one. Recently though, his thoughts of Quatre had taken a darker turn. //Ever since I left, I've had these bizarre feelings of paranoia when it comes to him. They started off as occasional, but since the night I had that dream, they've been more and more frequent.// Trowa would be glad to see his little Arabian, make sure all was well. //Since when is he mine? Although, I rather like the sound of that. *My* Quatre.// The class Trowa was sitting through, advanced astronautics, ended. He gathered his stuff and joined the swell of students exiting the room. Then it was off to find Heero, to go over their mission objectives one final time. He would be easy to locate. Heero barely left their room, except for class, and the meals Trowa forced him to eat. Not that Heero had ever been friendly, or sociable. But now he was misanthropic and reclusive. The Japanese pilot was probably sick of talking about it. He seemed to be sick of everything. Including life. They had discussed the mission only that morning. << "Heero?" Trowa had asked. "Yes?" "Will you be able to carry out this mission?" Trowa didn't believe in mincing words. Heero sighed. "I know you're worried about my ability. I do not blame you, I have questioned myself as well. But you must trust when I say that I will not let you down. I know my behavior speaks otherwise, but I will carry out this task like a Gundam pilot." Trowa searched his face, and seeing the truth there, he believed him. But that wasn't all. "Heero, if you want to talk, I'll listen." With that invitation, he left. Meanwhile, Heero sat in turmoil, unsure of what to do. //Maybe I should talk to him. We talked at the circus, and he is a good listener. He helped me with my quest for absolution, never once condemning me, or being critical. He was just there for me. How is it, that one who is seen as so stoic, so apathetic can be so intuitive, and understanding? I see now what Quatre has. When one is quiet he tends to be overlooked. But being reserved doesn't mean being devoid of feelings. Looking back on that time, when I offered my life as some sort of consolation for my mistakes, I realize how foolish I was. And how little I knew of the worth life held. I know that if I don't seek help soon, my grief will consume me. Trowa is willing to help, but can I handle it?// >> Heero mulled over his options all day. He wandered from class to class lost deep in his thoughts. And even though he was absorbed in his confusion, he carried himself with the same authoritative air as always. While demolishing an army of mobile suits on the simulator, he decided to keep his suffering to himself. Then while sitting through aeronautical aerodynamics, he decided to tell Trowa everything. And he went on all day in the same manner. Back and forth between keeping quiet, and unloading wholly. He used to be able to make decisions so easily, weigh the factors, and take the most sensible route. But hell, he never used to have to worry about sharing his feelings. Feelings were a useless waste of time. Things he had no need for. Damn Duo for doing this to him. For making him dependent, weak. For making him want to open up, and be opened up to. And as much as he would like to curse the braided boy, he couldn't. He couldn't defile the one lustrous thing that had made his life sparkle, if even for so shortly. Heero knew he'd have to settle Trowa's proposal soon. All the internal debating was draining what little energy he had left. And tonight was the final stage of their plan. He needed all the strength he could muster to complete it. Even if he couldn't care less if they were successful, being lax could mean death. And as much as he would welcome it, he refused to endanger Trowa's life with his selfishness. Heero finished his last class an hour before Trowa. The Japanese pilot headed back to their room to sit, and think uninterrupted. He sought refuge in the room's only real chair, save for the spindly ones that accompanied their desks. A large red number, that he was frequently inhabiting. Trowa climbed the stairs to the floor of their dormitory, and walked down the hallway to their room. Silently he wished he would open the door and see Heero doing anything but sitting in that goddamn chair. How Trowa hated that chair, as if it were a cage enclosing his friend against his will. He reached to turn the knob, but his hand paused, inches above it. How he'd love to take that chair and throw it out the window. But doing so would probably get a gun leveled at his head with a whispered threat of omae o korosu. Trowa's lip twitched slightly, but the smile died before it could ever form. He'd give anything to hear those trademark words again. He'd be happy to walk in to a gun between his eyes. Trowa twisted the knob, and the door swung open. The scene before him was disheartening. Heero sat in that fucking chair, staring fixedly ahead. But if Trowa felt any sort of emotion he was careful not to let it show. He entered the room as stone faced as ever. He shut the door behind him, and moved over to his desk. After depositing his books, he headed for the closet. He opened the doors, and shoved the clothes apart. Then he bent down, and pried up a loose floorboard. Once he found the items he was searching for, he pulled them out, and replaced the board. Trowa walked to Heero's desk, which was noticeably bare. He set down the stack of blue prints, then retrieved a few books to anchor the ends. The green eyed boy unrolled them, then secured the ends. Throughout this process he didn't even spare a glance in Heero's direction. At the same time Trowa was refusing to look, all Heero was doing was watching him. Following Trowa's every move. Heero had seen the look that flashed in Trowa's emerald eye. It had been disappointment. And it had shaken Heero Yuy to his core. He had been prepared for anger, or pity, or frustration. And although Trowa had quickly hidden it, Heero had seen. And he felt ashamed. Humiliated that he had let himself depreciate into this. And it was that shame that compelled him to talk. "Trowa," he began tentatively, cringing at how uncertain his voice sounded. Heero kept his head down, fearing if he met Trowa's eyes he'd lose whatever nerve he had. Trowa turned toward him, that one eye trained steadfastly on him. As if sensing the other's hesitancy, he keep quiet, but pulled one of the gangly desk chairs to sit across from him. Heero seemed to be fighting some internal battle with himself. The struggle evident on his strained body. Finally after a few minutes, one side seemed to win because Heero relaxed a bit. Almost as if he were yielding to what ever decision had been the victor. "Trowa, I...". //You can do this Yuy. You can devise shrewd battle plans. You can master the Zero System. You can defeat armies of mobile suits. You can certainly talk.// "I.. I.. need..." //Say it. Damn it! Say it you damn coward... Say it for Duo.// "please... help me," he whispered. And then he all but crumpled into himself. Yes, Heero Yuy, feared Gundam pilot broke down. He may have been the most well trained assassin, capable of disabling legions of enemies without batting an eye. Responsible for the deaths of thousands, and the downfall of governments. He had seen more horrors than even the most seasoned veteran. But above all that he was just a boy. And all the training couldn't change that. He was only a child. The name he was called wasn't even his own. There were only a handful of people in the entire galaxy that cared if he survived. If he self destructed tomorrow the world would never mourn for him, they would never knew he was gone. For to them, he never existed. To them he was just this infamous pilot, this being of devastation. But underneath he was a real life, flesh and bone, little boy. He seemed to be made of steel, but what one forgets is that without proper support, even the strongest of structures will buckle and tumble. And no amount of intense training, or mind-fuck tactics could brace it forever. And when this indestructible fortress topples, it may never be built back to it's original strength. Heero Yuy had been such an enduring stronghold. Never needing or even wanting to rely on someone else to uphold him. Until a certain long haired, violet eyed, American had somehow worked his way into the foundation. Heero didn't even realize the depth of it until the night Duo had given himself to him. Heart and soul, mind and body. It was that night that Heero realized he didn't mind having someone to lean on. And then without warning Duo was gone, and Heero knew he'd never be coming back. It was like his groundwork had been pulled out from under him. He may have been the perfect soldier, but he was more than a mindless killing machine. He was a human, with feelings and a soul. And when that love he had embraced so momentarily was gone, so was his ability to be impenetrable. Without that love he had nothing. Not even the capability to return to that automaton like form he had one been. After knowing the nirvana that is a soulmate, life without one is insignificant. And even Heero was moved by it. Truly anyone who has felt it, even the most cynical and cold-hearted of men, has been changed. And Heero being only a mortal boy was no different. He too reveled in it's beauty, and was ravaged by its loss. Trowa sat dumbfounded. Never in a million years had he expected this. He knew Heero was having trouble dealing with the loss of Duo. They all were. Somehow the day seemed less bright without the God of Death shining in it. Sure, he had his faults, like any other. But he was so electric, one couldn't help but be taken in by him. Trowa sat and waited for Heero to continue. "I.. ever since Duo, I haven't been the same. He.. he changed me. I fought it, but in the end, he won. And I can't say I'm sorry. Not even now." Trowa listened intently, but inside he was confused. //Heero and Duo? I knew Duo was what was troubling him, but they were more than friends?// "I never wanted any emotional attachments, not when any day I could die. That and I didn't know how to handle them. But I couldn't stop myself. He was everything I wanted. He embraced life so fully, and no matter how many times I told myself to forget him, I couldn't." Trowa interrupted, "So, you were more than friends?" "Yes," Heero stated simply, "a lot more. Trowa, I.. I loved him." Trowa stared at him in shock. Heero had always acted so aloof, so uncaring. He had had no idea that the two were a couple. "Wait. You and Duo were together? But when, I never knew." If possible, Heero slumped further down. "We weren't. Not exactly. I watched him from afar, like some love sick puppy. And then I didn't see him for a few months. Then we all got together for that one mission, and the night before..." Heero stopped. It hurt too much to go on. Trowa knew that telling him this was tearing Heero apart. He also knew that if Heero didn't unburden himself soon he'd drown in his misery. The green eyed boy reached out a hand and placed it steadyingly on Heero's shoulder. That slight contact destroyed any defenses Heero had left. He continued brokenly, his voice smothered with emotion. "The night before, Duo came to me. He said he was tired. Tired of hurting and being uncertain. He wanted answers. And then.....and then he said...he said...he loved me. He looked me right in the eyes, and said it." Heero ceased talking, and kept his head lowered. After a few minutes of silence Trowa prodded him. "What did you do?" Heero drew in a deep breath, but refused to look up. "What did I do? It was the moment I had been dreaming of, waiting for. So I looked deep into his eyes and said.. nothing." Heero released his breath. "Don't misunderstand me. I wanted to. But it was like there was this force inside me which kept me quiet. No matter how bad I wanted to tell him.. I couldn't form the words." Heero laughed bitterly. "The perfect fucking soldier to the end, eh? I had this person in front of the me. The one person in the entire universe who made me feel less like an instrument of death and more like real human, and I was too much of a fucking coward to tell him how I felt. Dr. J sure would be proud." Heero once again fell silent. Trowa put his other hand on Heero's shoulder, so he was holding both. "What happened?" "He nodded like he was anticipating it, and turned to leave. But.. but I couldn't let him. I grabbed him, and he looked at me. And his eyes just lit up. With all this hope. And whatever piece of me that kept me quiet just crumbled with that look." Heero looked up, and into Trowa's eyes. "And I held his face in my hands and told him I loved him back." Trowa was holding his breath, awaiting. "And he looked at me shocked. Like he couldn't believe I was saying that. To tell the truth I don't blame him, I didn't exactly believe it myself. And then he kissed me. And it was like nothing I had ever known." Heero broke off, he was lost in the memory. The vision of Duo's beautiful eyes overwhelmed him. The way their violet depths shone with love. For him. The way his soft lips felt as they met his own. The way his heart seemed to swell. And he knew that as long as he lived, he'd never experience another moment like it. It was the one-second in time, the first second, that he felt truly alive. As if Duo's love had made him real. From that instant he could never again watch the world from the outside. He belonged. Heero was drawn back to the present as Trowa lightly shook his shoulders. Heero looked at him. "He made me feel, Trowa. Feel loved, feel alive, feel like a part of something. But more than that, he just made me feel. All that crap I spouted at the circus, live by your emotions, that was bullshit. I didn't know them until that night." "So, then, what?" "So then, he gave himself to me. He let me touch him, love him. He was so beautiful, luminous actually. That night we made love, and it felt like I was whole. I never knew I wasn't before. But being there, with him, I knew. It was like he was the missing piece of my soul. The piece I didn't know I was lacking." Heero's eyes had gotten misty with his recollections. A small smile pulled at his mouth. Trowa's eyes softened, he knew how hard this must be for his friend. But he needed the whole story. "Is that why you didn't let him go on the mission the next night?" Heero nodded, his eyes still lost in his thoughts. "Yes, He was already in bad shape. He must have gotten thrown around Deathscythe's cockpit, he looked pretty beat up. And I had only just found him, I didn't want to risk it. But if I had known.." Heero's eyes started to water. He tried to control himself. //Boy's don't cry. Wasn't that your line Duo?// "That wasn't your fault, Heero." At that Heero stood up with such force he knocked the heavy chair to the ground. He looked at Trowa with fire burning in his eyes. "Not my fault? Not my fault?! Whose else would it be?" Heero was on the verge of hysteria. Trowa stood up, to try to soothe him. "Heero, we couldn't have known. You couldn't have known." Heero started to laugh resentfully. "I couldn't have known? I couldn't have known? It was my fucking gun Trowa," he shouted. The surprise registered on Trowa's face. Heero just laughed at that, too. "Didn't know that did you? Yep, mine. It was all my fault." "Heero, you don't believe that. What Duo did, he did for his own reasons. If he loved you he wouldn't want you to blame yourself." Heero lunged at Trowa and shoved him back hard. Trowa wasn't expecting this, so consequently he fell backwards. He hit the rickety desk chair, and the two tumbled to the floor. He looked up at Heero who was now screaming erratically. "What Duo did! What Duo did! I love how we all tiptoe around it, like it's a secret. Let's, gasp, say it out loud. All together! Duo killed himself! He took Heero's gun and blew his head off in their bedroom! Shot himself point blank, not much room for error, eh Trowa?" Trowa just sat bewildered on the ground. Heero continued with his shrill tirade. "Didn't think so. And he did it with, yep you got it! Heero's gun! The gun Heero stupidly left behind. But of course Duo doesn't want to blame Heero! No! That's the funniest fucking thing I've ever heard. No wonder you're a clown." "Heero.." "Yes, let's just put all the blame on Duo, after all he can't defend himself now, can he? And then we can sleep at night. Only I don't sleep anymore. Duo haunts my dreams, and every other second of my day. So it must be my fault. I must have done something wrong. I wasn't enough." "Heero listen to me.." "Oh, yes. Let's listen to you! Who the fuck are you? Maybe I didn't put that gun to his head, but I killed him. And you're no better. In fact you're worse!" Trowa gazed up at him, confusion in his eyes. "Yes, you are! You have someone who loves you, and you don't even give a fuck! You just toss him aside. And every time you do, you kill him a little more. You saw Duo, is that what you want to happen to Quatre? It would be easier, right? Then you wouldn't have to care? You could just be another soulless, nameless robot. Is that what you want?" Heero spat out. The Japanese boy reached down and grabbed the front of Trowa's shirt, hauling him to his feet. "Is it, Trowa? Would you rather Quatre be dead? So you don't have to deal with it? Trust me it's not easy. I know." He released Trowa, who fell to the floor with a thud. The tall boy's thoughts were racing. The mere idea of Quatre being dead made his heart feel like it was being ripped apart. He knew all the goodness he had would die with the blonde. He looked over to see Heero lying on the floor shaking with suppressed sobs. Trowa crawled over to where Heero was and tentatively touched his shoulder. Heero turned to look at him. The blue eyed boy had bitten through his lip in an attempt to restrain his tears. Trowa offered the only comfort he could. He opened his arms. Heero looked unsure, but Trowa enfolded him into those arms. That was too much for Heero. All the emotion he had been holding back so fiercely broke free. Tears ran down his face like a salty river, soaking Trowa's shirt. Trowa stroked his back, and let him cry out his pain. If he thought it unusual for Heero to do so, he showed no signs of it. "Shhh, Heero, it's ok." Heero pushed him back. "You still don't fucking get it do you? It's not ok. It'll never be ok. Duo's dead, and he's never coming back. And there's not a damn thing anyone can say or do to change that. And I have to live with that fact everyday, for the rest of my life. And I also have to live with the knowledge that I was responsible for it. But you know the worst part, Trowa?" Trowa shook his head. "I have to live." With that Heero stood and wiped his face. He crossed the room to the door and exited, slamming it behind him. Trowa laid down on the floor, overcome with emotion. He laid there for hours, but it felt like minutes. He was tormented by Heero's words. And he couldn't get the thought of Quatre lying lifeless somewhere out of his head. It was plaguing him, the notion of Quatre being dead, never knowing Trowa's real feelings. He was just so damn scared. Scared to tell him, scared not to, scared it would be too late. Heero entered and saw Trowa prone on the floor. He walked slowly over and knelt by his side. "Trowa?" No answer. Heero poked him on the arm. Still nothing. He shook Trowa roughly. That seemed to awaken the other from his contemplation. Trowa looked at him through clouded eyes. "Hm?" "It's time for the mission. Let's get it done quickly, so we can meet the others," he looked at Trowa knowingly. Trowa nodded his acquiescence. He got up from the floor, muscles stiff from being on its hardness for so long. They packed their stuff, pocketed their key codes, and left. After stowing their stuff in the shuttle they would use to escape, they headed back on the grounds. If they could get the information and get out, they were safe. The complex would be too incapacitated to follow them. They had memorized the layout of the inside so, all they carried were their codes, and an innocent looking duffle bag, full of high-tech explosives. They approached their destination, and waited. All they had to do was wait for the guards to change, and they were in. The guard on duty, and his replacement always shared a cigarette before exchanging places. As to what they did before that smoke is only known by them, and the little clump of trees they did it in. As soon as the second guard came into view, the two boys hiding in the shadows readied themselves. True to form, guard one and guard two slipped off into a little cluster of foliage nearby. The pair watching surreptitiously crept forward. They punched in the codes on the keypad and were relieved when the door slid open. They hurried inside and let out the breath they were holding when it slid shut. So far, so good. Now to the control room, to get the data. They slithered through a veritable maze of hallways and corridors. It was no problem, they knew this building's schematics like the back of their hands. As they snuck along they strategically placed bombs along the walls. The explosives were attached to the wall, near the ground. It was so poorly lit, no one would notice. Heero carried the remote detonator. With the design of the building, and the location of the devices, the structure would implode on itself, leaving hardly rubble as its remains. After numerous twists and turns, they found themselves at the door to the control room. They typed in the key codes again. And again the door opened without hassle. They made sure the room was empty, they didn't need interference at this point. Once they were sure it was clear, Heero began hacking into the system, while Trowa stood watch in the hallway. The program was more complicated than Heero had original thought. But nothing he couldn't handle on a good day. Which this wasn't. Every time he tried to gain access, the system read error. He was getting frustrated. He knew he had to calm down or else he'd blow the whole thing. Finally, after his fifth try he broke into the main system. He quickly scanned the network for the files he wanted. Once he located them, he popped in a disk and initiated the download. It was at that precise instant that he heard voices on the other side of the door. Trowa's, plus maybe two others. Trowa had been on the lookout for about fifteen minutes. //What the hell is taking Heero so long? We should be out of here by now.// Just then, three soldiers appeared at the end of the hall. They were engrossed in conversation, but one looked up, and spotted him. The trio made their way to where he stood. Once they reached him, they looked him up and down appreciatingly. Trowa recognized them all, they had class together. And they were all arrogant assholes, and shitty pilots, but they had rich daddies in Romafeller. The one in the middle spoke first. "You're Trowa, aren't you?" Trowa made no movement to show he heard. The guy in the middle nudged him harshly. "Hey, pretty boy, you hear me? That's right, you're real pretty. What'cha doing here all late at night? Waiting for a secret lover?" He leaned in close to Trowa's ear. "I bet it's a boy. I'll keep you company till he gets here." The other two laughed, like it was the funniest thing they'd heard. The middle guy pressed himself against Trowa, and started groping his thigh. Trowa shuddered with revulsion. The guy took that mistook that for enjoyment. "Like that, pretty boy? Want more?" He ground up against Trowa, and the green eyed boy could feel the other's erection through their layers of clothing. He had to fight his nausea. The boy continued rubbing against him, his hands exploring Trowa's lithe frame. Trowa didn't know how to fight back. He couldn't shoot them, it would attract to much attention. So he squeezed his eyes shut let the other continue feeling him up, begging Heero to finish soon. Trowa's skin was crawling, he felt entirely disgusted, and the guy's companions just resumed their laughter. And just when he felt he couldn't bear another second, the door flew open. Trowa had been forced to lean on it, so when it swung inwards, he fell back into the room, with his molester on top. Heero took in the scene and wasted no time in blasting the standing soldiers. He aimed for the third, on Trowa, but was too late. The guy shot him through the arm, knocking him off balance. He was going for the kill, when Trowa shot him from underneath. He rolled the guy off him, and ran to Heero. "You, all right?" "I'll live, if that's what you mean." Then Heero pulled the belt off his uniform, and devised a make shift tourniquet. They scanned the hall, but there was no sign of anyone. The pair took off running, snaking through the passage ways on their way to the exits. About fifty feet from the door they heard a yell behind them. "Stop! Put your hands in the air! Now!" Trowa and Heero halted and raised their hands. They started to turn around. Suddenly Heero fell to the ground, a gunshot reverberating along the walls. Trowa looked at his fallen comrade. "What the fuck? We didn't do anything!" "Just a warning, now don't try anything stupid," the soldier called out. Trowa saw red. He knew this guy would kill them regardless. //Not like this. I refuse to go out like this.// He grabbed the gun at his waist, turned lightning fast, and shot the bastard right through the eyes. Then he bent down to check on Heero. "Heero? Can you hear me?" "Yes. Go, run, leave me, I'll only slow you down." Trowa shook his head. "You know I can't do that." He hoisted Heero up and over his shoulder. He did move considerably slower, but they ran into few people so it made no matter. The unlucky handful were taken down in a hail of bullets. Trowa was out of breath by the time they reached the shuttle. He set Heero down and started it up. "Now." he commanded. Heero pulled out a small box, and pressed a button in its center. The entire base rocked with the force of the explosion. The building didn't blow up, so much as it caved in on itself. A swarm of people rushed toward it, never noticing the shuttle taking off. Heero pushed another button, and another tremendous burst was felt. The entire building was completely decimated, as the two flew off unobserved. Trowa set the craft on Autopilot, they had about an hour to go before they reached the location they had hidden their suits at. He moved toward the back looking for Heero. He found the boy rummaging through the first aid kit. "How bad is it?" he asked. "Arm, leg, gotta stop the bleeding." Trowa took the supplies from him. He fastened a real tourniquet around Heero's arm and leg. The bullet in the arm had passed through. So he swabbed some antiseptic in and wrapped it with gauze. The leg looked worse. The bullet was embedded in his leg, he'd need surgery to remove it. As if Heero read his mind he replied. "Don't have time for hospitals, you'll have to do it." "Heero, I have no idea how--" Heero grunted, "No other way." Trowa realized he was right. They were too conspicuous to go to a hospital, especially with bullet wounds. He braced himself, and followed Heero's strained instructions. Luckily it hadn't hit the bone, and he was able to dig it out. He carefully disinfected, and stitched up the gash. Then he wound about two feet of bandages around it. They neared the site where their mechas were concealed. Trowa disengaged the Autopilot, and brought the shuttle down for a smooth landing. He opened the large cargo hatch at the back, and checked on Heero. The Japanese boy tried to get to his feet. "Where are you going?" Trowa asked deadpan. "To help. It will go faster." Trowa actually rolled his eyes. He gently pushed Heero back into his seat. The blue eyed boy kept trying to help, and finally Trowa threatened to shoot his other leg, if he didn't stop. Heero responded with a familiar, omae o korosu. Trowa could've laughed, and when he was safely outside he did. It felt like a huge weight had been taken from his shoulders. To see Heero returning to his normal routine was encouraging. At least now there was hope. Trowa knew Heero had a long road ahead, but he also knew all the pilots would be with him every step of the way. He loaded their Gundams into the shuttle's holding area. He was finished by the time the colony's sun had fully risen overhead. Once he was positive there were no traces of them being there, he boarded the shuttle, and it took to the skies once again. They had a long journey ahead, they were on the L1 colony, and they had to make it to the earth. And then to the safehouse's position. He took the controls and steered the ship toward earth, and Quatre. They had little trouble on their trip. They did run into an OZ military cruiser, that wanted to know their purpose for being there. Trowa lied and told them they were hauling scrap to a satellite, and since there was a natural resource satellite in the vicinity they let him go. Other than that, it was uneventful. Heero took over for a while, while Trowa rested. It was only then did he noticed his blood stained uniform. Some was Heero's, but a good deal was from that soldier he shot. The one that tried to force himself on him. Trowa's flesh felt dirty at just the memory. And he cursed himself for his inability to fight back. Why had he just stood there? He didn't have much time to ponder his reactions, because the events had taken their toll, and he fell into a deep slumber. Trowa awoke to Heero slapping his face. "You were screaming in your sleep," was all he said before he went back to the controls. Trowa was shaken by the physical contact, but more so by his dream. He had dreamed of the encounter with the soldiers in the hallway. Only instead of them harassing him, they had been bullying Quatre. Quatre had been in the same situation he was in, but Trowa had been there next to him. Standing two feet away but powerless to help. Only this time the lead aggressor hadn't been the same as Trowa's. No, he was different, but Trowa knew him from somewhere. But the more he tried to recall the face, the further away it slipped. It had been so familiar... They arrived on Earth the next day. Quatre would most likely be there, and Wufei might be too. After what seemed like years of traveling their destination came into view. A small wooded area, perfect for hiding outlaw mobile suits. They landed, and set about looking for any of the other Gundams. They came across Sandrock and Nataku in a clearing about a quater of a mile from their ship. Trowa removed all the tarps that covered them. Then he climbed into Sandrock, he was dismayed at its condition. It looked rundown, and badly in need of repairs. //That's not like Quatre, to neglect Sandrock. Unless, his last battle was that bad. I'll offer to help him fix it later.// Trowa hastened his actions, he wanted so bad to see his little blonde. And now he even had an excuse to talk to him, and be near him. He transported the two machines onto the shuttle with Heero guiding him. After said mechas were secure he covered the entire ship with the camouflage tarps. Trowa and Heero inspected the entire thing. Assured it was fully cloaked they began the trek to the safehouse. They had no crutches, so Trowa supported Heero most of the way. They'd have to come back later for their bags. This did not make Heero happy. When the cabin came into view, Trowa leaned Heero against a nearby tree. He began to walk around the shack, checking in the windows, looking for signs of anything being awry. He saw Quatre sitting in a chair in what he assumed must be the living room. He tapped on the window. No response. He knocked a little louder. Likewise, nothing. But he didn't see any signs of wrongdoing. No visible signs. //I guess he couldn't hear me. But I was right there.// Trowa didn't want to debate the reasons, he just wanted to pull Quatre into his arms and never let go. //Slow down, Barton. Hello might be nice.// He returned to the front of the house a signaled to Heero that all was clear. He hobbled over, and leaned on the door jam. Trowa knocked, then called out to let Quatre and Wufei know who it was. He could feel the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Inside Quatre shuffled to the door. He unlocked it, and pulled it open. His eyes glanced over the two figures standing there. It took all of Trowa's will not to sweep the blonde up in a tight embrace. "Hello, Quatre," he said, with a hint of happiness in his voice. "Hello, Trowa," he replied, with no emotion whatsoever. Quatre moved aside and let them enter. Wufei appeared behind him. Trowa nodded at his entrance, but inside he was puzzled. Quatre was never that cold. //He must be tired. That explains Sandrock.// He tried to perk his love up. "Quatre, I brought my flute. Maybe we could play a duet later?" "I can't. I didn't bring my violin," he said, as unfeeling as before. Trowa was getting worried. //Quatre never travels without that thing. What is going on here? And why is he acting like that? He's usually so elated when we all get together. Is he mad at me?// As Quatre lifelessly showed them the house, Trowa vowed he'd find out. ~~~~~ tbc.

{ part 5 } { back to the pieces index }