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"With A Childs Heart"Written By: Dùlin
Disclaimer : Not mine. Just playin', will give
them right back, yadda yadda ... you know the drill. And I'm broke.
Really. Rating : R Warnings : Post-EW, humor, yaoi romance and sap, bit of lime and implied lemon, language, violence, child abduction Pairings : 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, references to past 6x5 and 6x9 Author’s Note : an extra-special thanks to
Lisou-chan, my little sister, who agreed to lend her physical six-year-old
looks and part of her character to the little Alice in the fic. Well,
the truth is she nagged me until I accepted to have her being adopted
by Trowa and Quatre, so everyone’s happy now !
"With a Childs Heart"
Part 7 “What is going on ? What’s that noise ?” Kaleb asked. “I dunno, boss.” “Then go out and check !” The man shrugged and got out, leaving Kaleb with only one bodyguard. Kaleb shot a look at the detonator on the table. He had never planned to use it, but the atmosphere was decidedly strange. Winner had not called the cops, but something was happening.
And talking about that … Wufei saw the moonlight reflect on something white. He prepared to jump, but suddenly realized that this was actually Milliardo’s hair. Quatre and Milliardo silently joined him in the corner where he was hiding. Wufei noticed the paleness of Milliardo’s face. “You okay ?” he asked under his breath, his face showing an unusual concern. “Quit fussing about it or I’ll bite your head off”, Milliardo said through gritted teeth. “What’s going on here ?” “There are two rooms. Alice is in the one at the far end of the corridor. Trowa is upstairs. He filled me in through the window. There are three people left with Alice, plus the two in front of the door. The leader is in the other room. He only took two men with him, and one of them is over here.” He made a vague gesture towards the limp forms on the floor. “We brought five down on our way here”, Quatre said. “That’s eight out of the picture. With the seven we know about, it makes fifteen. I’ll leave it to Heero and Duo to take care of the remaining ones, but I’d like to see them arrive.” “They’re already here”, Quatre answered. “What ?” Quatre pointed to the other end of the corridor. Wufei and Milliardo looked and saw Duo waving frantically at them, before a hand pulled him back behind the wall. Wufei smirked. “If we get out of here alive, I think I’ll kill him.” “Why not trying to get out of it alive first ?”, Milliardo asked. “Sure.” Wufei went to the window and looked outside and up. The head of Trowa suddenly appeared upside down. Quatre gave a start, but then, he stiffled a nervous laugh. “Trowa, are you okay ?” Trowa just nodded. He shot an interrogative look to Milliardo’s bleeding shoulder. Icy-blue eyes glared back. “Don’t say anything”, Milliardo threatened. “If I hear another person telling me to get out of here, I’m not sure I will control myself.” “How’s Alice ?”, Quatre asked eagerly. “She’s fine for the moment”, Trowa muttered. “And she’s scaring the wits out of them.” “How many detonators ?”, Wufei asked. “One in each room. The people with Alice won’t touch their own, though. I’m not sure about the leader, the one in black. He looks pretty pissed off.” “Trowa”, Quatre suddenly said, “could you go to the other side of the building, help Heero and Duo come upstairs with you, and make them come down this way ?” “Sure.” Trowa’s head disappeared.
“Sorry, can’t help myself.” Suddenly, Duo grabbed Heero and kissed him passionately. The Japanese, taken at unawares, accepted the kiss, but pushed his lover back once it was over. “What’s wrong with you ?”, he growled. “Nothing’s wrong with me, it’s just that the taste of blood makes me horny”, Duo joked. “You didn’t have to drink blood.” “Oh, come on, you’re taking the fun out of it !” “This is not fun, Duo. This is a rescue mission. You made me come here, try at least to act seriously.” “Oh, I certainly didn’t make you come here ! If you hadn’t wanted to come, nothin’ I could have said would have made you change your mind !” “Shut up, Duo.” The American smiled brightly. “Alright, I’ll calm down a bit.” “You know we could be dead in less than one minute.” “So what ?” Heero shrugged. “I will let no one hurt Alice”, Duo kept on. “She’s been hurt enough. All those who dared put a hand on her will be punished.” “Punished ?” “Ya know what I mean !” “That’s why I’m worried.” “I’ll try to behave, but I can’t promise anything.” Duo gave a gigantic but somehow silent start when Trowa suddenly went in through the window. “Tro-man ! Never do that again, that could get you killed !” Trowa straightened up and motioned to them to follow him. **** The terrorist was looking at Alice, green and golden gaze glaring back. The man began to sweat. Why was the kid so damn calm ? She had seemed afraid in the beginning, but now she was just acting as if she was going to get out of it alive. Or as if she didn’t care getting killed. Alice was thinking fast. The strange device with a button could make the building explode. If the bad men pushed it, it would be over. But Alice knew those ones would never do it. The problem was that the other bad man, the one in black, had another device like this. And he wasn’t here. Papa had not come back, but she could feel his presence, not far from her. She almost jumped when she realized that she could feel much more than that. Daddy was here also, and Duo and Heero and Wufei and Milliardo ! Alice hugged her knees again. She didn’t know what to do next. She felt a bit dizzy to have concentrated so hard on so many people in the past few hours. Alice felt the air go tense around her. Something was about to happen. She shivered, and hugged her knees tighter, trying to shut everyone out of her head. **** Quatre sighed with relief when Heero, Duo and Trowa slid through the window. He couldn’t help noticing the shining sparkles in Duo’s eyes, and put a soothing hand on the American’s shoulder. Duop stopped moving at once. “Okay, listen to me”, Wufei said. “There are seven guys there, six of us, and two detonators that can send us all in heaven in a quarter of second. Do the math.” “We must take care of those two first”, Heero said pointing at the men guarding the door. “Silently.” “I can do that”, Duo said, fingering the blade of one of his razor knives. “Next question is who goes where ?”, Milliardo said. “Well, how about you, Quatre and Trowa go save the lady, and Heero, Wufei and I take care of the very bad guy ?” “For once, Maxwell, looks like your head has finally found its place on your shoulders and that it is securely attached”, Wufei said deadpan. “It’s not because I never do the thinking that I can’t think ! It’s just Heero usually does it for me.” “Shut up !”, Quatre said angrily. “It’s not the right time for this. You’ll discuss this another time, assuming we all get out of here alive and in one piece.” “Sorry, Cat”, Duo said. “But what about my plan ?” “We have a plan ?” Trowa asked mockingly. Duo tried to protest again, but Quatre muffled the sound by putting his hand on Duo’s mouth. “You mean apart from bursting in and shooting everyone ?”, Heero said. “Yes.” “I suggest bursting in, making sure no one has a detonator in hand and shooting everyone.” “No shooting”, Quatre cut in. “If they are not threatening, no need to kill. Just disarm them and bind them.” “Gone soft, Cat ?” Duo grinned. “Hell no. I just don’t see the point of taking a life when it’s not necessary.” “If we get outta here, you’ll define what ‘necessary’ means to you.” “Do you guys always do that on a rescue mission ?”, Milliardo asked abruptly. The five other young men looked at him. Quatre gave him a smile. “Actually, yes. It helps us to keep pressure down. That’s routine. And it makes us ready to fight.” “And that’s why I’ve been defeated so often. Because five irresponsible children were bickering among themselves.” “See, you’re starting it too.” “You’re right, it does work.” Milliardo moved his left shoulder and winced. “Could we please finish this before I bleed to death ?” “Let’s move”, Wufei said.
The other young men joined Duo in front of the door. The American took back his knife, cleaning them on one of the men’s white garment. He put them back in their sheaths and took out a gun. He, Heero and Wufei moved to the other door. Quatre took out his own gun and undid the security. Trowa had disappeared again after picking up one of the guards’ machine gun. Milliardo was still pale, but his face was set. Quatre looked at Wufei. The Chinese man nodded and crashed the door with a violent kick. Quatre braced himself and opened the door in front of him. **** Kaleb jumped on his seat when the door of the room exploded in tiny bits of woods. Three young men came in. His bodyguard got up and tried to reach his weapon. One of the men, face expressing nothing under unruly brown bangs took out a revolver and shot the bodyguard straight between the eyes. Kaleb was left alone behind the table to face them. Two of them had definitely Asian features. The last one had a long braid and was smiling happily, as if he were having the time of his life. Kaleb reached out for the detonator. The time for thinking was over. A searing pain suddenly spread along his arm. The braided man was holding a gun up. He had shot him right in the hand. He got closer, a wolfish grin on his lips. “I wouldn’t touch that if I were you”, he said jauntily. “Go to Hell !”, Kaleb spat. The man sighed. “Been there, done that …. I am Hell ! I am Death ! And I feel like giving you a ride to the other side!” The Chinese man prevented his companion from shooting Kaleb. “No, Duo ! You heard Quatre. No shooting. Just bind him, okay ? Duo seemed thoughtful for a while. “Whatever”, he finally said with a shrug. “He’ll come to me in the end. They all do.” Heero tied the man in black tightly. Somehow, Kaleb knew that trying to call for help would only bring troubles. So he decided to try and talk to his captors instead. “Who the hell are ya ? Winner told me he didn’t call the cops !” “We’re not cops”, Heero answered coldly. “Why did you come, then ?” “Because you chose the wrong target”, Wufei said, coming into the light. “Remember me ?” “Chang …” “That’s Mr Chang for you, Kaleb.” “What ..” “Well, just try to figure it out, Winner is my friend. I tried to dissuade them to come, believe me, but there was a problem.” Wufei smirked. “You abducted my best friend’s daughter. I am not sure I can forgive that.” Kaleb’s eyes widened with fear as the Chinese came closer. Wufei looked down at him with contempt, before walking away again and leaning on a wall. “How did you ..”, Kaleb started, but Duo cut it short. “Oh, he’s boring ! Hee-chan, could you please gag him ?” The Japanese did, then sat on the floor beside Duo. “Thanks. We killed the dragon”, Duo said. “Let’s wait for the knights to rescue the princess.” As soon as Quatre opened the door, he immediately noticed Alice in a corner, on a dusty sofa. He didn’t have time to make a move. One of the terrorists grabbed the little girl and put his revolver against her head. The green and golden eyes flashed with fright. “Alice !” “Don’t move, or I’ll paint the room with her brain !”, the man said. Alice shut her eyes tightly, fighting the wave of fear that was threatening to overwhelm her again. “Let her go”, Quatre said coldly. “No.” “I won’t say it again.” Quatre lifted his gun. “Want to try me ?”, he said. “Quatre”, Milliardo whispered, “are you sure of what you’re doing ?” “Just take care of those two”, Quatre answered on the same tone. Milliardo turned to face the man and the woman that were cowering in a corner of the room. He didn’t have to say anything. They threw their weapons away and lifted their hands. “You traitors!”, the last one said. A shot suddenly rang through the room. Alice felt the hand of the man letting go of her, and he fell on the floor. The was a little round hole in the middle of his forehead. She turned to face the window. Trowa was still holding up the gun he had used. He threw it on the floor, and descended lightly in the room. Tears of relief sprang from Alice’s eyes. “Daddy ! Papa !” She ran to flung herself in Quatre’s open arms, and Trowa joined them in a tight embrace. “Alice ! You’re not hurt ?” “No. But I was so scared ! They kept telling you wouldn’t come for me !” Quatre frowned. “You didn’t believe them, did you ?” “Well …” “It’s alright, sweetie”, Trowa cut in. “You were scared. It’s over now. Come over here.” “We must get out of here”, Quatre said. “It’s still dangerous.” Milliardo had bound the two remaining terrorists. He took the detonator and quickly disabled it. “Okay, let’s fetch the others and go. We can call the police later.” Trowa took Alice in his arms. The little girl locked her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. She was feeling exhausted. There had been so much tension in the air. The three young men left the room and went to the next one. Kaleb gave a start when he recognized Quatre. “Why did you gag him ?”, Quatre asked. “He was annoying Duo”, Heero said. Duo kissed him lightly. “I can’t stand to hear fat lumps whimpering”, he said. Quatre went to the man and untied the gag. “You … you are …”, Kaleb gasped. Quatre gave him the coldest look. “I am not going to kill you, although I think some of my friends would agree to do it gladly. I just want you to know something.” Quatre came closer. “If I ever see you around my family again, I might get a bit cranky. Believe me, you don’t wanna know me when I’m cranky.” “Definitely not”, Duo chuckled. “Man, last time you were cranky, you destroyed a colony !” “Daddy, can we please get out of here ?” Quatre turned to Alice and his expression soften. “Sure, honey, we’re leaving.” Duo got up, and reached out to help Heero get up. “You okay ?” Duo asked Milliardo. “Not really”, the young man answered. “It doesn’t hurt that much, but I’m feeling a bit dizzy. And I think I am going to throw up.” “OK, guys, let’s go !”, Duo said. “There’s no way we’re carrying Mil down the stairs.” “Shut up, Duo !”, Heero said. **** The six young men walked away from the building. Alice was now fast asleep in Trowa’s arms, giving in to the tension and exhaustion. Quatre was walking at Trowa’s side with Wufei, Heero and Duo were following, and Milliardo was behind. A loud thump made them stop. “Hey, Blondie fainted”, Duo said, kneeling beside Milliardo. Quatre took out a cell phone. “I’m calling 911. We must drive Alice to hospital anyway, so they can take us with him.” Ten minutes later, the ambulance drove away, taking Milliardo, Wufei, Quatre, Trowa and Alice. Heero and Duo watched as the lights faded. Duo turned again towards the building. It exploded with a deafening sound. Heero stared in disbelief. Duo was just smiling, watching the building collapse and burn. “Duo !” Heero groaned. “Oops !” “That’s all you got to say ? Oops !” “What else do you want me to say ? ‘I’m sorry I killed the bad guys, oh god, how could I do something like this ?’ ” “Duo, we could have called the police to deal with them.” “Well, now they are dealt with. Forever. Come on, Hee-chan, you’re not gonna cry over them, are ya ?” “No”, Heero admitted, “ but still, you’re … scary sometimes, you know that ?” “That’s why you love me, uh ? Adrenaline junkie.” “Oh, shut up !” “Let’s walk back to Cat’s house. I’m sure there are plenty of very nice, very large beds in this place”, Duo said with a tempting smile. “And that we didn’t try half of them.” Heero rolled his eyes, but followed. ~ * ~ |
