Mistaken Words chapter 78

[Morganeth]

Mistaken Words

AN: Again, I?m sorry for the delays but here again is another chapter I hope you all enjoy!

I want to that every last one of your for reviewing, your comments and support are so greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

And thank you to morgangirl for editing these chapters for me!

Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing

Seeing is Unfortunately Believing

Wufei jerked awake, his hand reaching immediately for his phone, a frustrated growl escaping him at having been disturbed. His eyes sought out to digital clock on the small nightstand to see that it was eleven at night. Taking hold of the phone Wufei pushed himself up in bed pulling a hand through his loose hair, ?What??

?He?s Heero Yuy,? the voice was familiar and matter of fact, but at the same time sounding incredulous.

?Jay?? Wufei shook his head, ?The press conference was hours ago, and you choose now to call??

?Felt like the right time, besides you?re usually still up at this hour,? Jay contended.

Wufei sighed pulling his hand through his hair again, ?It was a long day,? not physically speaking, but they had all wanted to keep Heero from brooding until Relena could get away from the conference.

?So,? the sensei prompted.

?A little surprised you didn?t notice it now?? Wufei returned, more awake as he shifted to the edge of the bed coming to his feet.

?Since he was ?dead? I wasn?t really looking, and you?d have to admit he?s changed a lot since then.?

The former pilot thought about that for a moment, remembering how his friend had looked before this whole mess had started by looking at a picture which hung on his wall. Pictures of Heero were hard to come by, or at least they were before John came along, but other than his face becoming leaner with a few new scars there really wasn?t all that much difference was there? He?d become harder if that were possible but that?s not something he would have expected Jay to notice. ?Perhaps a little,? he conceded padding his way into the living room and from there to the kitchen to get himself a drink.

?I suppose since it?s been announced to the world,? Jay continued seemingly coming back to the reason he had called in the first place. ?You wouldn?t mind filling in some of the blanks for me now.?

Wufei leaned back against the counter, ?Right now??

?Why not??

Awake now, and not against the idea of seeing his friend, Wufei agreed, ?But not over the phone, I?ll meet you at the King?s Pub in a half hour??

?Sounds great,? Jay?s voice was eager, no doubt he had many questions, questions the news media hadn?t even begun to think up.

WMWMWMW

Wufei walked into the quiet little pub about a half hour after he had spoken with Jay and found his friend seated in a secluded back corner where they could speak in private. ?Any reason you didn?t call him?? Wufei asked finding it hard to use Heero?s name in public after so long of having to be careful about it.

?Never actually got a number for him, and I highly doubt if I had called the agency and asked for him that I?d been put through,? Jay replied with a smile, pushing a cold beer across the table as Wufei took his seat across from him. ?What happened to you?? Jay asked pointed at hand to the brace on Wufei?s wrist.

The former pilot twisted his arm with a shrug, ?Just a sprain,? he dismissed taking a drink of his beer.

They watched each other for several minutes, and Wufei could see Jay trying to gather his thoughts, ?So tell me Wufei,? he began leaning across the table keeping his voice low, ?How much of what was said there, was the truth?? Jay rubbed at the skin beside his right eye, ?When Heero walked through my door back in December he was carrying something heavy. And when I discovered the brand, he told me it was a symbol of a betrayal.? He leaned back looking Wufei directly in the eye, ?Seems a little different from what I heard on the news.?

?The bloody fool decided to try and do this all on his own,? Wufei answered after taking a drink of his beer.

?He actually shot Relena??

?No, no? the former pilot shook his head emphatically, ?A lot of what was said in the news conference is close to the actual truth, the only difference is that we didn?t know what Heero was actually planning.?

?That makes for a lot of differences,?

?It?s not easy getting up there and say this was all a carefully orchestrated plan, that we knew and were in control of the situation at all times.? Wufei leaned back eyes one his glass of beer as he slowly turned it, ?Once we got all the facts from him, we weren?t about to let public knowledge remain the same.?

?No doubt he was glad to have his name cleared,? Jay commented seeming to have the same problem speaking Heero?s name as Wufei did.

Wufei chuckled dryly at that, taking a drink before bothering to explain his reaction, ?He was actually rather pissed, he?d have preferred to remain dead.?

?What?? Jay was shocked, ?With all the weight he was carrying on his shoulders how couldn?t his name being cleared lighten the load??

The former pilot shrugged, ?You?re guess is as good as mine, I can see the immediate reasons, what with the media crazy but that won?t last forever.?

?So he didn?t shoot Relena, what about you?? Jay asked suddenly.

Wufei?s head jerked back over from his brief sweep of the pub, ?Huh??

?Don?t tell me you forgot,? the sensei leaned back expression disbelieving, ?You were shot twice, the police never released details of the assailant but they sure as hell seemed to know who they were looking for. I remember watching it all over the news.?

?Right?? Wufei breathed, leaning and elbow on the table, ?What makes you think it was him??

?Heh,? Jay smirked, ?Maybe I hold too high an opinion of you, but I find it hard to believe someone could get the jump on you, him on the other hand?he?s just as raw as you. I?d pay to see a match between the two of you.?

Wufei shook his head at that letting his hand drop onto the table, a true fight between the two of them would be a sight to see, had been in the past. It was a challenge he had always been willing to meet, and one that usually ended in a draw of some sort, whether they both exhausted themselves or just chose to call it that way. That certainly didn?t mean there weren?t any winners, they?d each racked up a few over the years. ?I managed to get a shot off,? he answered finally.

?And just how did the two of you come to grips with that?? he was utterly intent, ?You had been friends turned enemies and back to friends again, how do you let go of something like that??

?You?d be surprised how many times we?ve actually shot each other,? Wufei returned dryly, finishing the last of his beer, and signaled for a refill.

?You?ve got to be kidding me,? Jay shook his head a slightly unsure smile on his face.

?You?d like to think so.? Shrugging Wufei rubbed at his eyelid, ?We?ve sort of come to think of it as a form of initiation,? his tone was dry he knew, but there really was no other way to deliver such information.

Jay shook his head again, apparently planning on leaving that one alone, ?So where did all the baggage come from that he was carrying when he walked into my dojo?? he asked then offering the waitress a smile as she delivered them each a fresh drink.

?I?d say most of that goes further back than I have a right to get into.?

?Alright then, what drove him away from you??

?Ah that,? Wufei nodded, taking a sip of his beer, ?He?d been seriously injured when we got him back from the Inner Circle. Took him months just to get back on his feet,? this might not be information Heero wanted told, but considering the calls Wufei had received while Heero had been away Jay knew some of it already.

?I remember him telling me it had been a car accident, and you saying it had been an unfair fight,? Jay pointed out, proving if nothing else that he possessed and excellent memory.

Knowing this was a sensitive subject, Zechs and Heero had moved well passed it, but still. ?We got him off the colony, I doubt you can imagine the scope of what we felt in those moments?? he had not idea why he was saying this, it was just as easy to blame the Inner Circle for the beating.

?You beat him?? Jay sounded horrified.

?No not me, but yes one of us,? it was a confession, at least to one person he could tell the truth, and for whatever reason it eased the guilt, sure he hadn?t carried as much as the others, but he?d had his fair share.

?That wasn?t why he left though,? Jay deduced, ?You must have dealt with it that.?

?As soon as we had the facts straight,? Wufei?s tone was harder than he had wanted it, thinking back on how long it had taken them to finally get those facts.

?So what was it then??

?Once he was back on his feet, and training, he wanted to test himself against one of us,? Wufei began to explain, ?After seeing him bedridden for so long?I guess we just didn?t think he was quite up to it.? He pulled a hand through his loose hair, ?I?d decided to take it easy on him, hoping he?d be content with it and give himself a little more time??

?And he found out?? Jay supplied.

?Yeah, I made the mistake of ignoring a purposeful opening he?d left for his side,? he got to prove his point though.

?That?s the exact thing that he did when we sparred,? Jay remembered leaning back in his seat.

?What can I say he learns the hard way.?

?So he left because you were taking it easy on him,? Jay surmised.

?He wanted to prove he was as strong as he had been,? Wufei confirmed.

Jay ran a hand down his face, clearly processing all the information he had just received, ?Don?t suppose you could answer a question for me, it?s been driving me nuts.?

?Guess it depends on the question,? Wufei returned.

?Just who is his girlfriend?? Jay laughed throwing up his arms, ?There wasn?t much I could get out of him with just yes and no questions, but I got the impression she was someone important. Day he left he told me I wouldn?t believe him even if he did tell.?

Wufei chuckled shaking his head, ?You probably won?t.?

?Oh c?mom, you can?t cope out at that.?

?Alright lets see how good your intuition is, within this city whose the least likely public figure you can think of?? that was narrowing it down a fair deal he thought, but he still doubted Jay would believe.

?No?? he shook his head, ?Relena Peacecraft??

?He was one of her bodyguards before all this,? Wufei shrugged.

?I thought personal relations with the client were forbidden?? Jay trailed off still looking stunned.

?Well we?ve never really been ones to follow the rules.?

The sensei began to laugh, his head slowly shaking, ?You?re right, I mean I believe you?re not lying to me, but still Relena??

?I think he?s just as surprised as you sometimes.?

WMWMWMW

Heero shrugged into a leather jacket settling the thick material onto his shoulders as he walked towards the door of his room. He?d been feeling restless these last few days since the announcement of his being alive. According to Sally he was still supposed to be taking it easy on account of the heart attack. He felt fine, but since that first day when John had caught him, Heero just hadn?t seemed to find a chance to make it back down to the practice room without someone being there already. He wasn?t sure what they?d do if he tried to relieve some of his pent up aggression but he didn?t really feel like finding out. No doubt they?d try to stop him.

So he had been forced to find alternatives, solitude was not always the best solution, too much time for his mind to just wander. But he did tend to gravitate towards the roof, the view, the harsh wind was sometimes enough to keep his mind in one place, and so far no one had made an attempt to follow him up there. His left hand had just reached for the switch to open the door when the phone rang. Sighing Heero stepped away from the door and took up the phone.

?Agent Yuy?? a somewhat timid voice spoke into his ear after a moment of silence.

?Yes,? he confirmed having the sense that he knew the voice to be that of Une?s secretary.

?Commander Une has asked to speak with you,? she informed confirming Heero?s suspicions at the same time.

Heero didn?t bother asking when, ?I?ll be up there,? he responded immediately hanging up the phone and returning to the door. He didn?t bother to take off his coat, whatever it was Une wanted to say, no doubt Heero would find himself out on the roof at some point.

It felt odd to him walking through the halls without trying to take less traveled paths, it didn?t matter now who saw him. Still he felt inclined to find his way through quieter roads, he did like the looks he received, far more used to passing through a crowed like a wraith. At the moment he stood out like a blinking light, so many people still amazed by the fact that he lived. Heero walked passed them all, his stride broking no room for interruption, his expression far from welcoming.

Coming to Une?s office Heero pushed his way in, feeling the eyes of her secretary on him, but she didn?t say a word. Passing her by Heero opened Une?s door not bothering to knock, whether that bothered Une or not Heero had never found out. She looked up from her computer screen a slight crease to her brow as he walked to the front of her desk. Habit kicking in almost immediately, he didn?t even consider taking one of the chairs positioned on slight angles. Neither did he take a military stance, he just stood and waited to see what it was she had called him for.

?Are you going somewhere?? she asked folding her hand on top of the desk, eyes scanning over him briefly.

?You wanted to see me?? he returned.

?Always to the point,? she smiled. ?I doubt you?ve been watching the news lately, but there?s been an increasing amount of calls for actual footage of you.?

His tone was dry, and expression blank, ?Why??

?Considering the secrecy you?ve been shrouded in for these last four years, they want hard evidence,? Une swiveled her chair leaning back, her eyes remaining firmly on him. ?I can?t imagine you wanting to give a press conference of your own, and I?m not about to even bother fighting you over it, because I know exactly what would happen.?

Heero nodded curtly, there was no way he?d agree to something like that, if the issue was forced he?d simply disappear. Une knew as did the others if he really didn?t want to be found they wouldn?t be able to.

?So I?ve decided to turn over some footage of your training at the Warehouse it?s time stamped and they can have their experts tear it apart. It seems to me to be the best option, there?s no way they?ll be able to refute the fact that you?re alive.?

?And ignoring their requests can?t be done why??

?I?m assuming you?re planning on resuming your role in guarding Relena?? he nodded mutely to that. ?Well having proof that you?re actually alive before your first day out ought to lesson the media craze a little.? Une leaned back in her chair a curious look crossing her face, ?Tell me something, if we hadn?t told the world you were alive what would you have done with your time??

Heero drew in a breath, ?I can be very effective from the shadows.?

?I?m sure Relena would prefer to have you at her side,? Une pointed out smoothly.

?Decision was made for me,? he pointed out coolly, ?When do I start??

?I?d imagine you?d like to wait until media coverage lessons, taking slow steps would be best, the minute they actually catch sight of you it?ll all start again, but won?t last as long.?

The former pilot stood a little straighter, ?Is that all?? this wasn?t news he had been looking to hear, but he was far more controlled than he had been the first time. He wasn?t about to let slip anything of what he was really feeling.

?Yes,? she nodded her eyebrows raising briefly, the only sign she showed that she had expected a little more from him.

Without another word Heero turned sharply towards the door and left the room behind him. Heero made his way quickly to the roof his stride, lengthening, eyes locked forward. If anyone had even considered speaking with him the air about him put them off immediately. He had never been the easiest to approach, and that wasn?t likely to change any time soon.

Pushing opened the heavy metal door Heero felt the first brush of the biting wind as he stepped out onto the asphalt covered roof. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets Heero strode across the rough surface to the edge of the building overlooking the ocean, a torrent of mist and crashing waves. He could lose himself in the ebb and flow of the ocean for hours consumed by the raw force as it pounded against the shore. It wasn?t enough for him to forget what was going on around him, and not near enough to put from his mind what he had just been told by Une.

He knew damn well that he wouldn?t be able to keep himself from looking into the media craze at some point. He?d fight himself but in the end he?d just have to know. Was it a form of self torture, something to drive him to extremes in training? He certainly didn?t need any of that really, and unfortunately at the moment he was still under the watchful eye of both Sally and John. If he would need to let off some steam, he?d have to wait until after they?d let up their watch.

?So this is where you?ve been hiding,? a voice spoke from behind.

Heero didn?t jump, or even turn, ?I haven?t been hiding.?

?No?? Ash sounded less than convinced as he came to stand beside Heero, ?Then why have you been so hard to find these last few days??

?Maybe you haven?t been looking in the right places,? he returned dryly.

Ash chuckled softly, and turned away from the wind sliding down so he was sheltered behind the wall. He pulled briefly at the hem of Heero?s coat and the former pilot reluctantly complied. ?Implying that I should even need to be looking seems to me to suggest that you?ve been hiding,? he pointed out once Heero was seated beside him

?Think what you want.?

?Heh, I always do, and usually when you say that to me it means I?ve won,? he smiled crookedly at his friend.

There were a number of remarks Heero could have made to that, but they would have only encouraged Ash. Which was the one thing his friend definitely didn?t need, so he merely kept his silence drawing his legs up to him to rest his arms on. Sheltered now from the wind Heero let his head drop back and a sigh escape his lips unbidden.

?Now that sounded like there?s something on your mind,? Ash commented also letting his head relax back against the cement.

?If I?d made no sound, you?d still think there was something on my mind,? Heero pointed out dryly.

Ash nodded in agreement, ?There?s always something going through that brooding mind of yours.? He returned before his eyes turned to study Heero?s face, ?So care to tell me what it is this time??

?No,? Heero knew despite his answer Ash wasn?t about ready to give up, now he could have just got up and walked away. But for some reason he surprised himself at times by staying, letting his friend fish for information, even if the conversation remained one sided.

?Well no worries, I?ll bet you I can guess,? Ash rubbed his hands together, it appeared to be more of an eager reaction than to ward of the chilled air. ?Ten guesses or less to pinpoint the entire problem and you owe be dinner!? he exclaimed happily.

Heero looked at him with a raised eyebrow, ?What makes you think I?d agree to that??

?Ah you won?t,? Ash brushed the matter aside, ?Because you know I?ll get it in less, I mean I?ve had a hard time reading you before, but at the moment it?s kind of easy. Turn on the news and whatever I see is probably what?s bothering you.?

The former pilot let his head drop back again, ?That didn?t take Une long?? he breathed tiredly.

?Nor for the media to take it and run,? Ash tucked his hands beneath his armpits, his hazel eyes turning towards the sky were a bank of clouds were slowly rolling in. ?And I can understand you?re not wanting to be a spectacle in the eyes of the media, but weren?t you back when this all started??

?I had other things on my mind at the time,? Heero returned, his eyes shutting images retuning to him unbidden of the day he had left his friends behind.

?Well maybe that?s what you need now,? Ash suggested, ?A change of pace, you have been cooped up in here for a while.?

?In case you?ve forgotten there?s a wall of media outside the agency waiting to catch sight of me,? Heero pointed out drawing in a breath tiredly, he couldn?t even think of what he?d want to do if he went out of the agency. The idea was appealing though, getting out from under John and Sally?s watchful eye, even if he?d still have Ash to deal with.

Ash laughed it sounded disbelieving, ?Since when would that stop you?? Turning his head Heero regarded his friend for several long moments, his lips twitching unbidden, and Ash pointed a finger at him. ?Ah-ha! See that?s just what you need!? he slapped his hands together as though it had all been decided, ?You?ll get to show me the city.?

Thanks for Reading!

Morganeth Taren?drel



Authors Note: I?m sorry to say but this may be it for a while. I?ve tried as hard as I can to keep this story going and I still definitely want to finish it.

But unfortunately the depression I?ve been battling for years now has become too out of control for me to continue at the moment. I?m not giving up on it entirely I just need to take a break focus on other things and hopefully find my way back into the story.

I want to thank all of your for your support, and I apologise again for having to take the time off.

Thank you for all your support

Morganeth

[lildragonfly]

haha, Jay sure knows how to get people talking.
great chapter!!

just take your time!! i'll be here when you'll update.

i hope everything will work out well. good luck!!

[Morganeth]

thank you so much! I really appreciate your support!

[darky]

As always, great chapter. I don?t usually post comments, but I just wanted to say that I hope you get out of that depression soon, you take your time and don?t worry. I?ve followed this fic since the beggining and I love it, in fact I log in just to see if you?ve posted a new chapter. Hope everything is alright with you and I?ll be waiting.

Darky

[Morganeth]

thank you!

I wish I could better express how much this means to me! I couldn't imagine people getting mad over my having to step back, but it's still such a relief, and the support means so much to me!

so thank you again!