"Woke Up One Morning…
"
Written By: SkyLark
View commissioned art
for "Woke
Up One Morning"
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters.
I just love playing with them.
Pairings: 1+2+1, eventual 1x2, 5xS
Warnings: Angst, Sap, Romance
Rating: NC 17
Summary: After a night on the town together, Heero
and Duo wake up with blank minds and a pressing problem.
Betaed by ShenLong *hugs*
Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm
and http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html
Special Note: "The translation' s rights
to portuguese the works by this author were given in to the principal
translation' s team of the
website www.xyzyaoi. org " "Os direitos de tradução
para o português dos trabalhos desta autora foram cedidos para
os tradutores oficiais do site www.xyzyaoi. org "
"Woke Up One Morning…
"
Chapter 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
Chapter 7
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