Between Sunrise and Sunset... Part Five

[Loyce]

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.

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Between Sunrise and Sunset
Part Five: Rain Mixed Tears
By Loyce
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His hands clenched at his sides after he pushed away from the swinging doors of 'El Vaquero Loco' and onto the wooden walk. Frustration seemed to radiate off of him; steering people way from his path. Duo drew in a ragged breath and stepped of the walk, into the dirt street. Around him, the night was beginning to die down. Most of the local cowboys, drunk off cheap beer and watered down liquor, were beginning to head out for the night; hoping to sleep off their stupor before the rooster's first crow.

Socorro wasn't a huge town by any means, not compared to the towns and cities that sprawled across his home state of Texas, but there were more saloons in this old fort town than he could have imagined. For the most part, the soldiers were out and about, but drinking more than keeping order. No wonder people still called it the Wild West.

Lost in deep thought, Duo made his way towards the next saloon on his list, 'The Painted Eagle.' A few dollars had bought some information from the bartender that someone matching Hilde's description had been in the bar earlier asking some questions. Apparently, Hilde had asked what the next closest saloon was, and the man had pointed her in the general direction of 'The Painted Eagle.' The bartender said that it seemed the young man was looking for trouble and he'd more than likely find it there.

Duo sighed. He needed to find Hilde and fast. She was a barrel of gunpowder, waiting for the fuse to set her off, and it was his fault. Once he found out that 'Barton' was a woman, he should have left her in the desert and set off to hunt for Oz on his own. But he saw her pride shine in those beautiful blue eyes, and sealed the deal before he knew what hit him. The situation was becoming dangerous, with his mind constantly distracted by her, and Hilde storming through the streets of Socorro, mad as a bee in a hornet's nest. It was time he cut ties, and moved ahead with the search for Oz without her; once he had made sure she hadn't gotten into too much trouble.

The bright flash of light and the roaring sound of thunder overhead caused him to lift his eyes up to the sky. A storm was forming as it rolled off the mountains and would probably break over the town soon. He looked around trying to remember the directions the barkeep had given him, only to realize that he was lost. Keeping his eyes tilted toward the sky, Duo felt the first few drops of the cool rain and made his way under the overhangs of local merchant shops. Under the weight of the numerous people, seeking shelter from the rain, the wooden planks bowed, threatening to break. Duo moved off the walk and strolled along side it, the pouring rain dampening his duster. He stopped and tipped his hat at the two women that were trying to lure him into one of the local 'houses.'

A solid form bumped into him, nudging his shoulder out of the way. The gesture was rude, inconsiderate, and just enough to make him keep a tight hold on his rising temper. He nodded politely to the ladies and took two steps before he halted in mid-stride. Turning around, Duo watched the figure continue on his way before rounding a corner and disappearing.

The man, with his tall lanky form, had seemed so familiar. There had been an arrogant manner to his walk that Duo had only seen in one other person, but that person was still in Louisiana, administering those god-awful concoctions he called medicine to the locals. Squinting, he continued to look at down the walk, hoping to catch another appearance of the man, while thinking of a mental picture of the man who called him 'a thorn in his side'. How he missed sparing with his friend, even if he wasn't in his friend's good graces.

Off to his left, Duo at stopped the sign for 'The Painted Eagle'. Walking into the full force of the storm, he made his way over to the saloon, prepared to drag Hilde away, kicking and screaming if necessary.

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"Of all the damn luck in the world."

Muttering under her breath, Hilde stalked out of the third saloon she had visited that night. She kicked at the dirt as she stepped off the wooden planks of the walk. The night was slowly beginning to wind down, and with it, her chances of finding Blackburn. All three of the places she went to that night, came up a bust. Hilde chucked and shook her sore right hand. Bust was an appropriate word for her encounter at 'The Painted Eagle'. The only way to get information out of a bunch of drunks was in a game of cards. So when one of her informants accused her of dealing from the bottom of the deck, she did the only thing any respectable man would do; she broke his nose. Lifting her hand, she narrowed her eyes and tried to assess the damage done to her knuckles in the faint light spilling out of the saloon. A hiss escaped her lips as she saw the familiar colors of a bruise already beginning to appear.

"Damn, that hurt."

So far, no one had seen or heard about Oz Blackburn being in the area, and for the first time, Hilde began questioning her decision. She was sure that Blackburn would be making a run for the border, and the quickest way was down the El Camino Real Trail, through El Paso. In Mexico, he'd be free from the US lawmen after him free to continue hurting the innocent.

She dug around in her pockets looking for another cigarette, and sighed in exasperation when all she got was a hand full of lint. Turning her head, she looked at the Emporium, noting that it would be open for business until the morning. Hopefully she would be able to bum one off one of the local patrons at the next stop on her list. Her lips curled in disgust as she made her way toward 'The Fifth Ace.' Memories of the saloon girls assaulted her and her only thought as she made it closer to the building was Duo was probably in one of the rooms overhead.

The clouds overhead turned a purple color as lightning licked its way across the sky. On cue, the sound of thunder roared, signaling the arrival of one of the summertime storms. Hilde flipped up the collar on her duster and jogged the rest of the way to the walk as fat raindrops began falling, dotting the dry ground around her. Water dripped off the brim of her hat as she pushed into the saloon.

A wall of cigarette smoke greeted her just inside the doors. She breathed in deeply, allowing the smell to relax her. Most of the chairs in the saloon were occupied with men or men with saloon girls. Surveying the room, she found a couple of open bar stools at the far end of the bar, close to the wall. One corner of her mouth lifted in a smile as she pushed a couple of drunks out of the way and slid onto the barstool. Hilde moved the stool so her back was pressed up against the wall.

The bartender moved over toward her and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but that there seat is taken."

"Like I care." Pulling out some coins, Hilde laid them on the scarred wood of the bar. "Whiskey." The bartenders face lit up as he scooped the coins into his apron and moved over to take a glass down from the shelf. Hilde caught him out of the corner of her eye reaching under the counter.

"I didn't pay for whiskey water."

The bartender turned red being caught in the act. He promptly put the bottle back under the bar and turned around to the shelves and pulled down an unopened bottle of whiskey. With the glass and the bottle in hand, he returned to Hilde's end of the bar, quickly poured her drink and turned away.

"Leave the bottle."

Sighing, the old man left the bottle and made his way back to the other end of the bar to fix more watered down drinks. She glared at him over the rim of the glass as she placed it to her lips and quickly tossed it back. The warmth of the whiskey filled her body as it burned down her throat. People from all walks of life filled the chairs in the saloon, though the bad ones seemed to out number the good ones in this group. Most of them enjoying the night off, except the scantly clothed girls that fluttered from one table to the next, trying to get someone to make a reasonable offer.

One of the girls came running out of her room and hurried down the stairs. No one paid her any attention as she made her way through the maze of tables and drunken men; they were all too caught up in their games and liquor. Hilde barely recognized her as the woman that had flirted with Duo earlier that evening. Her face was slightly swollen; her make up running down her face in a stream of tears, her dress torn and held together with a shaking hand. The woman pushed past a couple of men that had entered the saloon and made her way out into the night. Hilde turned her head away, trying to block out memories that clawed at her. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the girl's patron make his way out of her room, slamming the door behind him. Buttoning his pants as he made his way down the stair was Oz Blackburn.

Her hand slipped to her gun as she watched him stroll about the floor with a smug look on his face. Under her clothes, her heartbeat picked up in pace as he made his way toward the bar. She could smell his stench before he even pulled up beside her and she could feel her stomach turn.

"You're sittin in mah seat." He spit as he slurred the words.

Hilde used the sleeve of her duster to wipe the spit from the side of her face. The feel of his spit on the side of her face brought forth a surge of panic that she had a time trying to suppress. Gritting her teeth, she stared at him from the shadows under her hat. "Tough shit."

Oz reached out and grabbed hold of the whiskey, taking a huge drink directly from the bottle. Slamming the glass against the bar, Oz moved to sit down on the stool next to her. Rage at the image of the beaten saloon girl combined with the smell, sight and sound of him took over Hilde's better judgment. With a shift move of her foot, she kicked the bar stool out from underneath of Oz, causing him to fall down to the floor.

Some of the surrounding customers snickered into the drinks as they watched Oz try and right himself. When he finally got to his feet, he towered over Hilde, trying to intimidate her. He reached up to move the brim of her hat out of the way and she smacked his hand away.

"Listen, stranger, you have no idea who you're messing with." He snarled.

"Yes, I do. I'm messing with a murdering, raping bastard."

This time, Hilde wasn't fast enough to stop him from knocking the hat off her head. As her hat fell to the back of her neck, her long black hair spilled out and fell about to her shoulders. Turning the full force of her narrowed, cold blue eyes on him, she watched as recognition registered on his face.

His brown eyes blazed with fury as he whispered in a low menacing tone. "You're that little German bitch! I thought I got rid of you."

"You did. I just came back from Hell to get my revenge."

Hilde's words had the desired affect. As drunk as he was, she didn't think she'd have any problem taking care of him. Oz lunged at her, but instead of fully tackling her like she had thought, he directed most of the force of his attack on the stool underneath of her.

Her hand tightened around the hilt of her gun and as she drew it, but as Oz knocked her off the stool, the gun slipped from her grip. Trying to regain her balance, she leaned up against the wall and raised her legs, kicking him in the chest and pushing him away from her. She looked toward the door, planning to make her escape, but as she dashed by Oz, his hands fisted in her long hair. He yanked her back toward him and Hilde bit back the cry as he twisted her hair, turning her around to face him. Rearing her neck back, she spat directly into his face.

Lifting her up by the neck of her shirt, Oz hauled her out the door and tossed her into the street. Her hair became soaked in the rain and covered with mud. She brushed the wet strands from her face and noticed a few of the bar patrons had poured out of the bar to watch the fight, and even more people had stopped along the street. Pulling herself onto her hands and knees, Hilde tried to catch her breath. The ringing in her ears had barely died away when she noticed the silver tips of his boots come closer. She tried to roll out of the way, but Oz moved faster and his boot caught her right below the rib cage.

Fire spread through her body as the pain radiated from her side to the rest of her body. Her arms nearly gave out, but some how she managed to find the strength to move out of the way before his next kick and roll onto the balls of her feet. She let go over her injured side and glared at him through the strands of hair plastered against her face. He had won once; she wasn't going to let him win again.

Oz swung his arm around, the back of his hand connecting with her face. Hilde stepped back from the force of the blow, but she didn't fall. She wasn't about to show him any weakness; pain meant nothing to her anymore. The rain came down in sheets around them, making the once dry street a sticky mess of mud.

Hilde dodged his next punch by ducking low. Her fist shot out and buried itself in his stomach. Oz gasped as the breath was momentarily knocked out of him. She took the chance and landed a right hook on his face, causing him to spin around. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, as she watched through the curtain of rain as he reached for his six-shooter. Without a second thought, she picked up her boot from the mud and lashed out, kicking the gun out of his hand and sending it skidding out of his reach.

Wiping the blood away from her mouth with the back of her hand, she narrowed her eyes and nodded her head, an initiation for him to make the next move. Filled with rage, Oz charged at her, his out stretched to grab her. Using the slippery conditions to her advantage, Hilde planted her feet deep into the mud. As Oz got closer, she used his momentum to toss him over her hip and on to his back. When his back hit the hard ground, he arched up in pain, a small cry escaping his lips. His cry fell on deaf ears.

Hilde made her way around to face him as he lay in the mud; she pulled her second gun from the holster and pointed it directly at Oz.

"This is for the pain you've caused me over the past three years. For haunting me in my sleep; stealing everything from me, my family, my innocence, and my life. If I had the patience, I would treat you like the animal you are, but I don't like to waste my time on scum like you." Hilde's thumb inched forward and pulled back the hammer. Her index finger tightened around the trigger.

"HILDE!"

Her gaze never faltered, it held stead fast on the man that lay in the mud at her feet. The pressure she had been applying to the trigger eased at the sound of his voice. She could hear the spurs on his boots jingle as he ran through the rain that continued to beat down on them.

"Hilde, what in the hell are you doing?"

Duo's voice came from behind her, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around and face him; to see the distain in his eyes that she heard in his voice.

"This is none of your business, Maxwell." She snapped.

"That's where you're wrong." Duo took another step toward her. An angered tone entered his voice. "Why, Hilde? Give me one good reason why. Tell me!"

Her eyes squeezed together briefly, she fought with the warring emotions inside of her. Wrapping her left hand around the hilt of her gun, so both hands held the gun pointed at Oz, she gave him the only answer she could. "Justice! This is all about justice."

"Hilde, this isn't justice." He pointed to Oz. "I'm not exactly sure what he did to you; but I do know if you pull that trigger, you'll be just as bad as him."

Duo's words pulled at something in her heart. She wanted justice for her family, for herself. But hearing Duo saying she would be no better than Oz if she pulled the trigger stung. With a deep sigh, she lowered her gun to her side and peered over her right shoulder at him. His beautiful eyes stared back at her, and she felt herself beginning to smile.

As the lightning flashed overhead, Oz brought his hand around from his back and brandished a small one-shot pistol.

"Look out!" Duo yelled, seeing the metal of the small gun illuminated in the brief flash of light.

Hilde whipped around in time to see Oz pull the trigger of the gun. Time ticked by in slow motion as she felt strong hands push her out of the way. As she fell to the ground, she looked back toward Duo and watched as the bullet hit him, causing his body to jerk in reaction.

"DUO!" The sound of her anguished cry drowned out the low rumble of thunder.

Hilde tried to cushion her fall, but ended up falling on her injured side. Lifting her head out of the mud, she watched as Oz got to his feet, his arm clutching his stomach. He shot her a triumphant look and began to laugh. Staggering down the road, he retrieved the gun she had kicked away earlier and slid it back into his gun belt. Through the rain, she could make out his figure as he gave her a mock salute before jumping in the saddle of one of the horses near the hitching post. With a quick yell, he wheeled the horse to the south and out of the town.

Hot needles of pain surged through her as she watched helplessly as Duo's legs gave out from underneath of him. He sunk to his knees and his hands reached up and grabbed the right side of his chest. Grimacing, Hilde pushed herself onto her knees and crawled through the mud to reach Duo. She reached out and caught him in her arms as he the last of his strength failed.

"Hilde..." He fell like dead weight against her as he whispered her name.

Hilde felt her hot tears mix with the cold rainwater on her face. Carefully, she pushed his duster out of the way trying to gain better access to the wound. The front of his black shirt was soaked; with blood or rain she couldn't tell in the dark. She pulled the bandana away from her neck and held it up against the wound, hoping to slow the bleeding.

All around her, people continued to watch the scene unfold around them; not one of them stepping forward to offer her any help. "Somebody, please, help me!" Her voice grew hoarse as she continued to call for help, and still nobody stepped forward. Some people even went back into the saloons to continue their card games and drinking.

Hilde laid her cheek against the top of his head. "Duo, please, open your eyes and tell me you'll be all right."

Two strong hands grabbed her shoulders, just as she was about to give up on hope. She turned around and found the face of a young Chinese man staring down at her. His dark eyes roamed over her before they flicked toward Duo and sparked with recognition.

"If we don't get him out of the rain, and the gun shot wound taken care of, he won't make it. But there's no guarantee that even if we do, that he'll survive." The man placed his hand over the one she was using to hold the bandana over Duo's wound. With his free hand, he slowly pulled Hilde's hand out from underneath his. He turned back to face her. "I'm going to slowly lift him up. When you have enough room, crawl out from underneath of him, is that understood?"

"Yes."

With gentle movements, the stranger slowly pulled Duo out of her arms and into partially into his. Once Hilde could move her legs, she tucked them underneath of her and moved closer to Duo. His face was so pale that Hilde was afraid that he was already dead. But the groan that escaped his parted lips when the man shifted him in his arms caused her to hold onto the little thread of hope a little longer.

The man took a quick look at Duo and his brow came together in a concerned look. "Damnit, he isn't wearing a belt." Without looking toward Hilde, he asked. "Are you wearing one?"

Shaking from the adrenaline shock as it coursed through her body, Hilde could only nod in acknowledgement.

"Good, remove your belt. I want you to wrap it as tightly as you can around his chest. I'm hoping it will hold the bandana in place while we get him down the road and into the office."

Following his orders, Hilde unhooked the belt holding up her pants and began tying it around Duo. A few tears escaped her eyes as she listened to tiny groans of pain as she pulled the belt snug against the bandana. On its own accord, her hand lifted and brushed back the few stray bangs away from his closed eyes. She lifted an unsure gaze to the stranger and was greeted with a stern look. With a quick motion of his head, he directed her out of the way. He grunted as he lifted Duo's full weight into his arms and rose.

As they moved through the town, making their way to the doctor's office, Hilde kept stealing quick glances at Duo's pale face; rainwater washing away the traces of blood that she had accidentally rubbed against his skin when she brushed his bangs out of the way. She had been wrong. She could still cry.

TBC...

[aljmcc]

Wheeeee!!! More, more! I love it!

[sailorDH]

That was great!
I love your style of writing.

[miyuchan]

GAH! NOOOOOO! You can't just leave us hanging like this. *pout*

I'm truly enjoying this story and hope that you'll write more soon.

[PeRiDoTs13]

well crap. ur not gonna kill duo, r u? man, he'd better live. he'd so better live.